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O M O ^ ,0 J 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS 

i 

MADE 

DURING FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE 

WITH THE 

NINETY-EIGHTH N, Y. VOLUNTEERS 

i 

IN THE 

WAR OF 1861. 



WILLIAM KREUTZER, Colonel. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

GRANT, FAIRES & RODGERS, PRINTERS, 52 & 54 N. SIXTH STREET. 

1878. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Year 1878, by 
WILLIAM KREUTZER, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



£5^ 



TO THE HONORABLE 
WILLIAM A. WHEELER, 
VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HIS CONSTANT ATTENTION 
TO THE WELFARE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, 
AND AS A TRIBUTE TO HIS WORTH 
AND PATRIOTIC SERVICES, 
BY THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 



PREFACE 5 

INTRODUCTION 9 

CHAPTER I. 

Organization — Washington 15 

CHAPTER II. 

Army of the Potomac — Fortress Monroe 22 

CHAPTER III. 

The Peninsular Campaign — Battle of Williamsburg 30 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Anabasis of the Army of the Potomac 40 

CHAPTER V. 

Crossing the Chickahominy 50 

CHAPTER VI. 

Battles of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines 62 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Change of Base— Malvern Hill 85 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Harrison's Landing 101 

CHAPTER IX. 

Expedition to North Carolina 112 

CHAPTER X. 

Port Royal— The Sea Islands 123 

CHAPTER XI. 

Expedition to Charleston — The Battle of the Ironclads..,,,.,.. 133 



1 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XII. 

PAGE. 



Gillmore's Demonstrations against Charleston 150 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The Return to North Carolina , 163 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Army of the James — Bermuda Hundred 182 

CHAPTER XV. 

Cold Harbor 194 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Demonstrations against Petersburg.... 207 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Fort Harrison - Voting in the Army 220 

CHAPTER XVIII. 



Camp Life in the Army of the James during the Winter of 1865. 248 

CHAPTER XIX. 

All Quiet -Grant knocks at the Southside Railroad— The Cap- 



ture of Wilmington 264 

CHAPTER XX. 

Military Life— The Anaconda— The Army of the Potomac moves 

— the 98th the best in the division 282 

CHAPTER XXI. 

The Capture of Richmond and Petersburg 303 

CHAPTER XXII. 

The Capture of the Army of Northern Virginia 326 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Occupation of Richmond 338 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

The Muster Out and Departure for Home 354 



PREFACE. 



T N publishing this work, the author has sought to place in 
more convenient and durable form, the notes and observa- 
tions made during his service in the late war. He describes 
what he saw from his own stand-point, and the pages are 
stained with the smoke redolent from bivouac, camp, and 
battle-field. His memoranda were often made in haste, in 
exigency, under fire, seldom from memory. In transcribing 
the facts, names, and dates, he has diligently compared them 
with recognized authority. To supply a missing link he has 
resorted to the histories of Lossing, Greeley, and Frank Moore. 
Colonel Davis' " History of the 104th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers " has been invaluable. While the regiments were to- 
gether, in 1862 and 1863, the histories are almost identical, 
and he has copied from it freely. 

A regimental officer has but few opportunities to collect 
material for a book which shall be interesting to the general 
reader; from those only who have attempted it can the author 
confidently expect appreciation. Field service, active cam- 
paigning, want of sufficient transportation, the wind, the rain, 
the dust, " accidents by flood and field," keep him constantly 
in the lightest marching order. 

Originally, the writer noted his impressions ; what he de- 
sired to remember; and in composing this volume he has taken 
the division for the unit, as suggested by army regulations, 
and marked out and pursued a plan entirely his own. 

5 



6 



PREFACE. 



Solomon wrote of the cedars of Lebanon, and of the hyssop 
that springeth out of the wall, so the author has written of 
mules, horses, cooks, privates, officers, marches, battles and 
sieges. 

Retrospectively, his military life appears like a dream. The 
fatigue, the suffering, the exposure, the carnage, the martial 
material and parade seem unsubstantial, like a pageant faded. 
Time changes experience into memory; in memory the colors 
fade, the darker lines grow light, the lighter lines grow dim. 

Before entering the service, the volunteer possessed but little 
military knowledge; he knew nothing of active campaigning, 
and had seldom seen "the legion's ordered line." If the pro- 
fession of arms is a routine, still he had everything to learn. 
Enlisting, from peaceful pursuits, to perform an imperative 
duty, believing the civil preferable to the military, it needed 
no small amount of study, fortitude, and endurance to meet 
the responsibilities of open, flagrant war, the trade of princes. 

Without powerful political friends or affiliations, in this 
country, however great his merit, none could reasonably hope 
to rise. Without the arts of the politician, advancement was 
as distant to the friendless volunteer, as are places of honor 
and profit in civil life to the poor but respectable. The curious 
inquirer has yet to learn of one promotion made on the battle- 
field. Greeley, the philosopher, closes his history saying that 
the soldier melts into the citizen, with nothing but the proud 
consciousness of having served and saved his country. And 
Grant, in his farewell address to the army, says that the fami- 
lies of the dead soldiers shall be helped and sustained. When, 
and where, and how, he does not say; clouds and darkness 
rest upon it. 

To compose and publish is one of the inalienable rights of 
American citizenship, to be enjoyed without apology, or per- 



PREFACE. 7 

mission, or restraint. So the author exercises it, without hope 
of popularity, and without expectation of reward. As the 
manufacturer exposes his articles for sale, so the writer has 
composed his book, honestly, truthfully, faithfully, and now 
offers it to the public. He invites examination, criticism, 
charitable or censorious. But one man, poor Keats, ever died 
of a critic. 

For composing this volume he has had but little leisure. 
His vocation is not professional, nor has he any literary as- 
pirations. For an author, the advantages of a city are far su- 
perior to those of the country. He has had access to no 
public documents, no learned society, no extensive library, no 
historical celebrity. 

Believing that the observations and experience of nearly 
every field officer who served four years during the late war, 
if carefully and plainly written out, will be interesting, if not 
instructive, to many, he publishes the work. 



INTRODUCTION. 



TOUNG men, everywhere, even in old commercial and manu- 



JL facturing communities, are fond of reading the times of 
heroes, martial stories, and narratives of deeds of desperate daring. 
The warrior, the chieftain, is the model character for youth; and 
every one who reads at all has read Plutarch's Lives, Rollin's 
History, Scottish Border Warfare, and our own Colonial history 
and biography. 

The pleasure we experience in meditating upon expeditions, 
marches, battles, and exhibitions of energy, will, courage, and 
prowess, seems to arise from the gratification of one of the deepest 
propensities of our nature, and shows as conclusively as any of the 
deductions of Darwin, that we have all sprung from ancestors 
whose lives were spent in plundering forays and war. In fact, we 
are often led to think that civilization is nothing but a gilding or 
veneer, which hides the grain and color of our uglier and rougher 
character. We study and practice deportment, and the amenities, 
and civilities of enlightened refinement. We are every day told, 
and everywhere, that the light and knowledge, the benign institu- 
tions we enjoy, the charity and philanthropy which we see 
exhibited from youth to age, have chastened, subdued, refined, 
corrected, extinguished, our lower propensities ; that they have 
smoothed the raven-down of darkness until it sparkles into light ; 
so that, guided by our reason and prompted by our nobler feelings, 
affections and yearnings, we fancy that we have overcome ourselves 
and are approaching the Infinite. We persuade ourselves that the 
reign of universal brotherhood has begun; and if angels do not 
walk with men, men approach the sphere of angels. But in an evil 
hour, while our minds are filled with love and beneficence, some 
extraneous, worldly considerations excite our interest, pride, or 
passions, and our aspirations for the Good, the Beautiful, the True 




9 



10 



INTRODUCTION. 



vanish like the baseless fabric of a vision; we become prehistoric 
men, and shout with demoniac savageness and frenzy: "On to 
Richmond ; on to Berlin ; on to Paris." 

War is a refiner, a civilizer, a teacher, a chastener of society. 
Its lessons are grimly terrible and fearfully salutary ; care, treat- 
ment, medicine, have failed, and the knife and fire must be tried. 
Its solutions often transcend the progress of years of peace. 

Our statesmen appear to understand, but in part, what the war 
of 1861 achieved. They have done but little more than wrangle 
over its results, without being able to comprehend or answer the 
great questions which our new relations and conditions have pro- 
posed. For the past fifteen years they have told over and over 
again the same speeches ; Conkling, Sherman, Schurz, Seymour, 
Johnson, Blair, each side all the same ; the one for the South, the 
other for the North. Fighting old issues, not one of them 
is over the war yet. The financial inquiries of our industrial in- 
terests receive no intelligent attention or response ; while the 
South is in anarchy yet, on the road to depopulation and despe- 
rately poor. It is thirteen years since the army was disbanded and 
Congress assumed command ; and still that fair domain of ten 
states is, literally, a howling wilderness and an insurrectionary 
chaos. Our senators and our representatives, little men, too often, 
like our petty officials, buy their offices, and, resting on their 
laurels, attribute their distinction to their worth, and their success 
to their intelligence and sagacity. Like little fishing smacks, when 
once in orifice, they keep near shore, behind the bars and break- 
waters; but do not resemble that adventurous pilot who, pleased 
with the danger when the sea ran high, sought the deep. 

The large estates of the South should have been confiscated or 
purchased, and, resurveyed and broken up, they should have been 
given to our soldiers and landless millions. So the nations assimi- 
late and hold their conquests; so Rome subdued the world. 

The war lifted the nation to a higher agricultural, manufacturing, 
and social plane ; and how to maintain it there, or take it higher, 
is the question for the statesman and financier ; and how to return 
to its former condition is the question which the weak and the 
stupid are asking. 

For the exhibition of stupidity and gross imbecility by public 
men, the period from the election of Mr. Lincoln to the battle of 
Bull-run stands ahead in the history of the world. The reason and 



INTRODUCTION. 



courage of the North appeared paralyzed. Our high officials, 
silenced by the arguments and sophistry of the South, thoroughly 
penetrated by the doctrine of state sovereignty, could not coerce a 
state. 

Lincoln did not ask for troops until the Confederacy was organ- 
ized and on foot. The Government durst not reinforce Fort Sum- 
ter until it was too late. Stephen A. Douglas was opposed to 
coercion. Until the people asserted their ideas of patriotism and 
treason, the politicians tried expedients, talked of peace measures, 
peace conventions, compromises, and wrangled over preambles and 
resolutions. Smitten with judicial blindness, they temporized, be- 
fooled themselves, groped and stumbled. Seward, while the Con- 
federacy was taking shape, and form, and exhibiting unparalleled 
energy and vigor, announced that the " war would be over in sixty 
days." Buchanan, with a more correct idea of the strength and 
determination of the South, and, despairing of any adequate force 
on the part of the Government to resist, supinely said that the 
Constitution contained no provision for coercion. The activity 
and vehemence of opinion exhibited by the South led England and 
France to concur in this opinion of irresolution and imbecility. 
The patriotism and energy of the people conceived, inspired and 
demanded the war measures,, and saved the country. It needed no 
speeches, pamphlets, dinners, processions, firings, rousings, mass- 
meetings. 

u Amour sacre de la patrie!" 

George Law, a citizen of New York city, one of many, had rather 
fixed and tangible ideas of the irresolution of the Government — 
tangible and definite ideas of treason and patriotism, of the temper 
and opinion of the men of the loyal states, when, on the 25th of 
April, 1861, he wrote to the President of the United States, saying: 
"That facilities by mail and telegraph have been cut off by an un- 
lawful assemblage in Baltimore and other parts of Maryland, at a 
time when free communication was so much required between the 
Free States and Washington; that, unless the lines of communica- 
tion were immediately re-established, the people would feel com- 
pelled, whatever the consequences, to take the matter in their own 
hands." 

The calls of 1861 were filled without drafting, and generally 



1 2 



INTRODUCTION. 



without municipal bounties. Money, means, men, were in excess. 
Before the close of the year recruiting was stopped by authority. 

No doubt, promises of honest promotion (without favoritism, 
family, or political influence) from the ranks, a glittering lure and 
imposition, induced many a young man to enlist. A belief that 
the war would soon cease, that the South would not fight, prospects 
of ease and good pay, promises to provide for " the dear ones left 
at home," caused many a " bummer" to^respond to the President's 
call. With others, a well-balanced self-respect, an imperative 
sense of duty inspiring the noblest resolutions were paramount ; 
and those resolutions no fear, no hardships, no privations, no 
battle-fields could countervail. They went from places of ease and 
profit, from the quiet homes of security and luxury, from the way- 
sides and farm-fields, from the college-halls and the counting-rooms. 
Men everywhere felt and said : "My country calls, and I must go. 
I cannot own property, hold office ; I cannot hope to enjoy the 
security and sanctity of peace and law ; I cannot keep my self- 
respect and stay at home in such a time as this. The most sacred 
duties of manhood and citizenship urge me to go." Like the 
Greeks against the Persians, like the Swiss against the Austrians, 
like the Scotch in the days of Bruce against the English, like the 
Americans in the Revolutionary war, united by the sacred love of 
country, the loyal North stood up and said : " Our rights are in 
danger. Let us march ; let us fight ; let us suppress the rebellion, 
or die." 

Many did as commendably as that Roman matron, who, while 
the banners of Hannibal could be seen from Mount Aventine, led 
her two sons to the Consul and said : " I present my boys to you 
for soldiers. They will not disgrace me, and the state needs their 
service." 

Reader, take some history of the late war ; open it at the 15th 
of April, 1 86 1, when Mr. Lincoln made his first call for seventy- 
five thousand militia, and consider the state of the Union. We do 
not propose to expatiate; we have no time or place here for re- 
marks. Words are idle ; let us pause and think. Seward's sixty 
days were up. The efforts, resolutions and measures of the peace- 
men were all played out. The wisdom of our little politicians had 
gone by the board. Sumter was taken, and somebody hurt. The 
Confederate government, with cabinet and all its appliances, sat in 
its capitol at Montgomery, face to face, with its antagonist at 



INTRODUCTION. 



13 



Washington ; and Europe and the world were asked to recognize 
the latest born sister of the nations. 

On the 3d of May following, the President again by proclama- 
tion called for a volunteer force consisting of forty regiments. On 
the 4th of May, the War Department, by general order, promul- 
gated a plan of organization for infantry and cavalry, and company 
and regiment were formed according to its provisions during the 
war. 

Congress assembled July 4th, 1861, and on the day after the 
battle of Bull-run, the 2 2d, the President approved its first great 
war measure. 

The nation was rising ; Congress was comprehending the popular 
feeling : the erring sisters shall not be allowed to go in peace. 

This act was the basis of our volunteer force. It fixed the time 
of enlistment at three years or during the war. It subjected the 
volunteers to the rules and regulations of the regular army. It 
enacted general order 15, to which we have referred. It provided 
for the organization of brigades and divisions, and the appointment 
and promotion of officers. It fixed the pay of officers and privates, 
designated those entitled to pension and, generally, was the plat- 
form of our volunteer force. 

Fort Sumter surrendered to the Confederates the 12th of April ; 
and Mr. Lincoln issued his proclamation, the 15th, for seventy-five 
thousand militia. He had tried every expedient with the leading 
Confederates, made every overture for peace, tried for the North 
with the South what repentance could do. Past eleven at night 
of the 15th, sad, tired, sick, desponding, he lay down to rest. He 
slept soundly until a few minutes after one, when he awoke, and 
was restless* and wakeful until morning. 

Timid, with no fight in his nature, he pondered over the step he 
had taken ; and visions of the future pressed upon his mind. In 
the South and West, marches and battles, and sieges for a series 
of years crowded upon his thoughts. Pitched battles like Fred- 
ericksburgh and Chancellorville passed in panorama before him. 
Such forms or demons as rise, pass over the stage and figure in 
Der Freischiitz rose, fought on the side of the Confederates and 
drove his armies from nearly every field. He thought of his ships, 
and turning eastward towards the sea, saw his navy scattered along 
the coast, and out over its wide, tempestuous waves, no friendly 
fleet, no friendly shore appeared. The heavens were brass above 



14 



INTRODUCTION. 



him, and the earth under his feet was iron. He arose and stood 
by the window, and while his eyes rested on Arlington or wan- 
dered down the Potomac, 

" Wasting cares lay heavy on his mind ; 
In his black thoughts wide fields of slaughter roll, 
And scenes of blood rise dreadful on his soul." 

An hour passed on ; he returned to his couch, and, in a dreamy 
sleep, saw those frightful shadows disappear. The heavens 
brightened like the sky at Austerlitz; the sea was covered with his 
victorious fleets, and he heard the united nation shout his name. 

Four years, precisely, accomplished his vision, and the curtain 
fell. 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS 

MADE 

DURING FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE 

WITH THE 

98th REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, 

IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



CHAPTER I. 

The Organization of the Regiment — Officers : Field, Staff and Line — It is Armed with the 
Austrian Rifle while at Albany — Reviewed by Governor Morgan — Sent to Washington — It 
goes into Camp on Kalorama Heights — Assigned to General Casey, it enters the Third 
Brigade of his Division — The Composition of his Division — How we spent the Time at 
Washington — The Appearance of the City — The Army of the Potomac. 

THE Ninety-Eighth was formed by uniting seven companies 
raised in Franklin county, with three recruited in Wayne 
and Ontario counties. Companies F, I and K had their provi- 
sional camp of instruction at Lyons, and the remainder of the re- 
giment had a similar camp at Malone. The primary organizations 
of the companies were made in October and November, 1861. 

Clothing, quarters, blankets, knapsacks, subsistence, medical 
attendance — every thing necessary to equip and make the men com- 
fortable — were supplied by the respective departments at Albany. 
In each camp the men were drilled daily in the School of the Sol- 
dier and of the Company, according to the Tactics of Hardee, as 
promulgated by the general Government. 

The rendezvous at Lyons and Malone created excitement 
throughout the counties. The war feeling ran high, and a dispo- 
sition to sustain the Government against an armed rebellion was 

*5 



i6 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



universal. Citizens of all parties, ladies and gentlemen, tendered 
their assistance, and labored in the enterprise. More prominent 
for their interest and activity at Malone were Hons. William A. 
Wheeler, Albert Hobbs and Albert Andrus. At Lyons were Messrs. 
George C. Strang, Thomson Harrington, E. W. Bottum and De 
Witt Parshall. A few arms were procured for drill and guard duty. 
These, with the uniform*, made a wonderful change in the ap- 
pearance of the men, and gave them some of the characteristics of 
a standing army. The companies, while in line, appeared like 
organized bodies. Men came for miles, bringing their wives and 
children, to "see the soldiers drill." 

At Malone, Charles Durkee, a merchant and prominent citizen 
of that village, commanded the camp. At Lyons, William Dutton, 
a graduate of West Point, an officer in the Mexican war, a resident 
of the county, and subsequently colonel of the regiment, was 
commandant of the post. 

The state authorities commissioned the officers and held full 
control over the volunteer organizations until they were complete 
and mustered by the general Government. After December 3d. 
1 861, no new companies could be formed. The state authorities 
were required to fill up, consolidate, complete, and hand over 
those in course of formation as soon as possible. The Government 
had troops enough, and the people were requested to withhold re- 
cruits and supplies. About the 1st of February, 1862, the com- 
manders of the two camps were ordered to report with their men 
at Albany. Captain E. G. Marshall mustered and inspected the 
men at Lyons, Feb. 1, and at Malone, Feb. 6. 

Preliminary arrangements were made as to the officers of the 
field and" staff, and the rank of a few companies ; and, by an order 
dated February 5th, 1862, the ten companies at Malone were con- 
solidated into seven, and the five at Lyons, into three. Of the ten 
companies thus formed, the 98th regiment of New York volunteers 
was constituted. 

Its aggregate was nine hundred and ten, of whom eight hundred 
and seventy-two were enlisted, and thirty-eight were officers. In 
social standing, intelligence, appearance, and military ability, its 
field and staff were equal to the average of other volunteer regi- 
ments of the state. After the expiration of a year, but two of these 
remained in the organization. The colonel died of sickness, and 
the remainder resigned, or were mustered out. The men were 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



17 



hardy, strong, generally young, and of full size. Governor Mor- 
gan remarked, as he saw them at dress parade, that in "general 
appearance," New York had sent no better regiment to the war. 
A large proportion of those from Franklin county were farmers 
and lumbermen ; and to march, to dig, to build roads and bridges, 
to endure hardships and exposure, fatigue and privations, was 
their element. 

THE FIELD AND STAFF OF THE 98TH. 

Colonel, Wm. Dutton, who died July 4, 1862, in the city of New 
York. Lieutenant Colonel, Charles Durkee, promoted colonel 
and resigned, March 25, 1863. Major, Albon Mann ; resigned 
June 4, 1862. Surgeon, Wm. G. David ; resigned Sept. 26, 1862. 
Assistant Surgeon, G. B. Balch ; resigned Sept. 23, 1862. Adju- 
tant, E. H. Hobbs; mustered out June 2, 1863. Quartermaster, 
George H. Clark; promoted major and dismissed from the service 
by order of the War Department, May 4, 1864. Chaplain, Wm. 
C. Hubbard ; resigned Oct. 3, 1862. 

About the middle of February the different companies arrived at 
Albany and went into barracks at camp Rathbone. 

The quarters had been occupied by thousands before ; they were 
fearfully filthy and dirty, and 

« £ Oft in the stilly night, 

Ere slumber's chains had bound us, 

We felt, Oh ! the cursed bite, 

Of something crawling round us." 

To many it was a treat to visit the city, the large stores, the 
saloons, the Delavan, the capital, and the legislature. Hundreds 
came to visit us daily. We saw a great many officers flitting about 
in gay uniforms, and were forcibly reminded that, fine feathers 
make fine birds. We bought for ourselves more expensive clothing, 
made in better style, and imagined ourselves members of the regu- 
lar army. The privates wore white gloves and blacked their shoes, 
and the chevrons of the non-commissioned officers were more at- 
tractive. 

But the days of our sojourn at Albany were numbered. The 
soldier must leave that attractive place of peace and plenty, and 
go where well-dressed ladies, legislators, and high officials will 
never come to see his drills and dress-parades. They snatched 
2 



i8 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



every rumor, for they knew that they were only waiting the 
arrangements for transportation to Washington. The order to go 
was not long delayed. It was read one evening and commanded 
us to be ready to march at daylight. All night long the barracks 
echoed with shouts and cheers. The men sang, " Uncle Ned had 
no wool on the top of his head," 1 ' Carry me back to Ole Vir- 
ginny," " Way down South in Dixie," ''The Star-spangled 
Banner," and " The girl I left behind me." 

Could they have read what the future had in store for them, the 
deaths, wounds, disease and hardships, they would have been less 
boisterous in their gladness and hilarity. 

The barracks which the regiment occupied at Albany were its 
first and last permanent quarters. 

Before leaving, it was armed with the Austrian rifle ; a rough, 
serviceable, beech-stocked weapon of 56 calibre, shorter and in- 
ferior to those made by the British government at Enfield. The 
Springfield rifle at that time was not in requisition. 

Our tents, wagons, camp-kettles, hatchets, axes and shovels were 
drawn at Washington. 

The state and national colors were presented by Governor 
Morgan. With knapsacks prodigiously swollen with clothing 
and personal trinkets, with haversacks filled with three days' 
rations, and canteens with coffee or whiskey, the regiment thus 
equ pped and accoutred, on its march to the -depot, passed in 
review before the executive mansion. Happy time, glorious days ! 
A train of 16 cars was required to transport the men and their five 
days' rations in bulk, and the horses of the field and staff. 

They passed through New York city, Easton, Philadelphia, and 
Baltimore. Long before they arrived in Washington, many of 
the men caught a glimpse of the Federal capital for the first time, 
as high and bold it glanced through the valleys among the forests 
and the hills. They shouted like Christian pilgrims at the sight of 
Jerusalem, or Mohammedans at a distant prospect of Mecca. 
They had, too, as they approached, a fine view of the Potomac, 
smooth and silvery, and of the tall, white national monument 
standing near it on the flat ground. 

They were landed almost under the shadow of the dome of the 
marble senate-house. The hour was 10 a. m. Congress was in 
session ; thousands of civilians and soldiers filled the approaches 
or collected on the porticoes and corridors. Beside the depot was 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 9 

a "Soldier's Rest," where the regiment had dinner, but no rest. 
We were ordered to go into camp on Kalorama heights, out 14th 
street, on the western border of the city. More definitely, we 
learned when we arrived there, that we were to encamp on Meri- 
dian hill, near Columbia college, just where the meridian of 
Washington passes, and where the government had erected a great 
sun-dial. We must carry all we can, all we have, and tents and 
rations will follow when the quartermaster receives his teams. So 
out 14th street we go, — up 14th street we go, through mud and 
slush and mire. The sun shines hot, the wind blows high, and, 
by turns, snow and drizzling rain descend ; still, tramp, tramp, 
we push along, slow and steady and sure, as the march of destiny. 
Without tents we bivouacked on the cold, sandy ground, in the 
keen night air, and late in the hours, we watched the clouds and 
stars like Palinurus, with our martial cloak wrapped around us. 

We arose at sunrise and took our reckoning. Ten acres of slo- 
ping ground, bordered behind by a little brook, composed our 
camp, under the meridian of Washington. It was just back of 
Georgetown, and overlooked the city of Washington and the 
Potomac river. We were assigned to General Casey, and were on 
the right of the regiments of his division. 

Exercise and sunlight soon gave us animation. We cleared the 
ground from brush, fence and trees, and, in the afternoon, pitched 
our tents with regularity and precision. 

Casey had established a rigid system of drills and camp-duty. 
He sought to put his division, composed for the most part of raw 
recruits, on the best possible war-footing. Casey was a fighter, 
an earnest, courageous man, and always intended business. 

We drilled twice a day, six days in the week, and had inspec- 
tions on Sundays. The regiments spent much time in loading and 
firing blank cartridges, and sent large details twice a week for 
target-practice. 

The 98th was paid on the 27th of March, to include the 31st of 
December, 1861. The men were enabled to discharge their debts. 
The regiment received, we think, about $29,000. 

For a great part of the summer and fall of 1861, the regiments 
arriving at Washington from the different states, had been assigned 
to General Casey for the purpose of arming, equipping, instructing, 
and brigading. He began the formation of his celebrated division 
in October, 1861. It was now complete, and contained fourteen 



20 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



regiments, of which the iooth regiment, New York volunteers, was 
the youngest, and four batteries of light artillery, all from New 
York, and commanded by Capts. Regan, Fitch, Bates and Spratt. 

The division consisted of three brigades; the first was com- 
manded by Col. W. W. H. Davis, 104th Pennsylvania volunteers; 
the second, by Gen. Keim, and the third, by Col. Wm. Dutton, 
98th New York volunteers. Gen. H. M. Naglee was soon after 
assigned to the command of the first brigade, and Gen. I. N. Pal- 
mer to that of the third. These officers were graduates of West 
Point Military Academy. 

The effective strength of this division was roundly 12,000 men, 
and sixteen three-inch rifled, and six Napoleon guns. 

The regiments of the third brigade were the 81st, 85th, 92d, 
93d and 98th regiments of New York volunteers. The reader has 
now our latitude and longitude ; and, until our organization is 
changed, he will know where to find us. 

A division of infantry consists of two or more brigades, to which 
are added in necessary proportion troops of other corps, cavalry, 
artillery and engineers ; and the formation by divisions is the basis 
of the organization and administration of armies in the field. In 
its various movements this history will follow the division to which 
the 98th belongs ; for we shall be at home in our division, under- 
stand its positions, and be acquainted with all its principal officers. 

While at Washington we had a review and several brigade drills 
out on the old Georgetown race-course. Distinguished, wealthy, 
patriotic citizens, ladies and gentlemen, visited us every pleasant 
day. They watched our manoeuvres, rode through our camps, 
and sought our acquaintance. * Off duty, we in turn, strolled 
through the city, the department buildings, the capitol, and at- 
tended the President's levees. One day we looked in upon the 
senators, the representatives, the Supreme Court, and descending 
into the basement of the capital, saw how the bread was baked 
there and distributed to the army ; on another, we visited Arling- 
ton, the Long Bridge, and the Navy Yard. 

Washington was in a state of war, with martial preparations, 
forts, magazines and cannon everywhere. Tents rose on all the 
plains and hill-sides, and troops were drilling on every hand. 
Long trains of provisions, baggage, quartermasters' and sutlers' 
stores rumbled along the streets and roads. A hundred batteries 
and pontoon bridges were parked about the city, on the vacant 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 21 

squares and fields. Mounted orderlies, bearing dispatches, officers 
in gay uniforms, soldiers lounging off duty, regiments arriving and 
marching, squadrons of cavalry, with jingling sabres and prancing 
horses, were always in view ; and gave interest, animation and 
character to the scene. 

March ist, 1862, the Army of the Potomac had an aggregate of 
two hundred and twenty-two thousand men. The people in their 
response, rising, arming and coming at the call of President Lin- 
coln, in 1 86 1, for five hundred thousand volunteers, have not 
inaptly been compared to the vigorous and united activity of the 
Greeks and Romans in the palmy days of their meridian splendor 
and power. 

Great God, we thank Thee for this home, 

This heaven-blest country of the free, 
Where wanderers from afar may come, 

And breathe the air of liberty. 



22 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER II. 



Marching Orders : How Received by the Men— March through Washington to Alexandria — 
Embarkation— Voyage to Old Point Comfort— Old Point — March to the Peach-orchard — 
Camp — Major Mann — The Long Roll — The Windows of Heaven Opened — Lieut. E. M. 
Allen Sings— The Voice of the Minstrel. 

IN the latitude of Washington, the month of March has a great 
many pleasant days. The mud dries up, the sun grows warm, 
the wind becomes soft and mild. 

" Spring hangs her infant blossoms on the trees, 
Rocked in the cradle of the western breeze." 

As the fine weather advanced the air became full of rumors. 
Cooks, servants, privates, felt the agitation ; for opinions, reports, 
guesses, have the utmost freedom in camps and take often the sub- 
stantial form of fact and verity. 

The orders of the President dividing the forces of the government 
had been promulgated. The Army of the Potomac had been de- 
finitely given to McClellan with explicit and special instructions. 
The Republic was mobilizing its forces. The nation felt that a 
new chapter in its history was about to be made. The great Army 

of the Potomac commanded by 
its Young Napoleon was about to 
move. The people everywhere 
were anxious expectants. The 
times were brooding, and all the 
air a solemn stillness held. 

On the i8thof March, Casey's 
division received an order to 
march the next day at ten o'clock. 
The order prescribed forty rounds 
of ammunition, and three days' 
cooked rations to a man, and 
limited an officer's baggage to a 
carpet-bag. Shouts, songs, mirth, 




FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



23 



and bonfires gladdened the night. The reveille sounded a little 
earlier the next morning, and, long before the hour arrived, the 
division was under arms. While the drummers were beating the 
long roll, and the men were falling in, a mounted orderly came 
with a dispatch announcing the suspension of our marching orders. 
We have ten days more on Meridian Hill, ten days more of drill- 
ing, before we leave for the field of war. 

On the 28th of March, at two p. m., the division left its bar- 
racks and tents on Kalorama Heights, and, passing through Wash- 
ington, over Long Bridge, beyond the fortifications, turned to 
the south and took the road to Alexandria. Large crowds assem- 
bled at Willard's hotel and along every street to see it pass. The 
men wore their bast clothing, and were neat and clean in every 
particular. They marched to the sound of martial music furnished 
by a dozen regimental and brigade bands ; and the polished equip- 
ments and glittering bayonets flashed back the rays of the declin- 
ing sun. 

The night was dark and chilly. The men unused to marching, 
and weighed down with knapsack, haversack and rifle, soon be- 
came weary and straggled as we advanced. From Long Bridge the 
road was blocked by artillery and army trains. Standing, halting, 
starting, halting, exhausted us more than constant walking. 

Reaching Alexandria after eleven o'clock, we stacked arms along 
the side-walk, wrapped ourselves in our blankets and lay down on 
the pavement to sleep; but a cold wind drove " tired nature's 
sweet restorer, balmy sleep," from every weary lid. 

In the morning we learned that transportation to take us down the 
river would not be ready for several days. The division was sent 
into the edge of a wood a half mile distant to camp. We had not 
even shelter-tents, to cover us. We buttoned our rubber blankets 
together, and stretched them on frames or sticks cut with our 
knives and hatchets. A cold storm of rain and snow set in, and 
continued for several days. The snow on the morning of the 30th 
was four inches deep, and at nine o'clock our camps were one ex- 
panse of mud and water. As to comfort and condition, from a 
brigade commander to a private, we were all alike. Division head- 
quarters may be in a brick-house, but brigade and company head- 
quarters are down in the slush. Sinking in the earth, covered 
with clay, Antaeus-like, we hope to renew our strength and age. The 
centuries shall return tD dust and ashes. We have chanjed to mud. 



24 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



While sitting on an empty, hard bread-box, on the evening of 
the 31st, contemplating the dreary scene, thinking over the bitter 
and the sweet, revolving in our mind the various ups and downs 
of life and turns of fate below, a tall, rather spare, gentlemanly, 
young, blue-eyed officer rode before us, and - inquired for brigade 
headquarters. We conducted him to Col. Dutton's bivouac. He 
announced himself an aide-de camp of Gen. McClellan, and said 
that the General directs that the brigade shall be at the wharf 
ready to embark for Fortress Monroe, in the morning at 10 o'clock. 
He wore captain's shoulder-straps, spoke in broken English, and 
was the Due de Chartres, the Bourbon heir to the throne of France. 
He touched his hat and left the Colonel's quarters. As he mounted 
his horse, which we had held, we said, "Vive la France!" He 
smiled, raised his hat again, and said, " We hope for better days." 

We were in line at 8 a. m. April 1st, and marched to the wharf 
in a drenching rain. The batteries were placed upon sailing ves- 
sels and towed ; the first brigade embarked on the steamer Consti- 
tution, the largest steamboat in the world, except the Great 
Eastern ; the second and third brigades were broken and distribu- 
ted upon transports. To the 81st and 98th was assigned the 
steamer Elm City. By 2 p. m., we were all on board and steam- 
ing down the Potomac. During the afternoon we passed Mount 
Vernon, and later, the Constitution, with Gen. Casey and the first 
brigade, aground in the river. 

Brigade commanders, field officers, a few line officers, may know 
our objective point, but the rank and file, generally, do not. 

We are going to Richmond by way of the Peninsula. The 
greater part of the Army of the Potomac has already landed at 
Fortress Monroe. Casey's division belongs to Keyes' corps, and 
the divisions of Couch and Smith have preceded us. We are 
making history. 

On the morning of April 2d, we rounded the promontory on 
which the far-famed fortress stands, and entered Hampton Roads. 
We landed at once, and, by 2 p. m. were marching up the Penin- 
sula, past the village of Hampton, to our new camping ground, 
by the edge of a wood in front, near a swamp and a peach orch- 
ard, at the right of Newport News. 

Old Point Comfort, on which Fortress Monroe is built, lies at 
the mouth of the James river, under exactly latitude 37 . It is 
twelve miles from Norfolk, two and a half from Hampton, twenty- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



2 5 



six from Yorktown, thirty six from Williamsburg, and ninety- 
eight from Richmond. The wall is built of freestone, and includes 
about seventy acres of land. A deep, wide ditch, stone-faced and 
filled with water, surrounds the wall. Within the fort are several 
buildings, and a fine, level parade ground ornamented by collec- 
tions of live-oak trees. It has guns in casemate and in barbette. 
It is the nation's pride. 

Our limits forbid a description of Hampton Roads and their 
surroundings. There we passed, subsequently, many happy 
months, and we associate them in .our imagination with the Elysian 
Fields. 

When we arrived, the shipping of all the North seemed concen- 
trated there ; steamers, tugs, and various sailing vessels — the trans- 
portation of the Army of the Potomac. Rocking idly on the waves 
were the Minnesota, the Roanoke, steam-frigates, the old Monitor 
and a dozen gun -boats ; behind Craney island, near Norfolk, lay 
the Merrimac ; and in the distance, up the James, at Newport News, 
were the projecting masts of the Congress and the Cumberland. 

Within a space of twelve by twenty-five miles are included three 
of the original counties into which Virginia was divided in 1634. 
Except a distance of about ten miles on the northwest, these coun- 
ties — Elizabeth City, Warwick and York — are entirely surrounded 
by the James and York rivers and the Chesapeake bay. The land 
nowhere rises above fifty feet from the surface of the water. All 
along the water line, at low tide, on the eastern and western sides, 
may be seen a stratum of blue clay. Above this clay is a stratum 
of comminuted shells of indefinite and uncertain extent. The 
bluffs of Yorktown rise upon it, and in it Cornwallis' cave was dug. 
Over these sea-shells is spread a layer of the red clay of Virginia. 
The surface is composed of clay, sand, shells, and humus; generally, 
the soil is light and porous, easy to work, and, back from the coast, 
for many products extraordinarily fertile. The holly, the cedar, 
the pine, compose the forests ; and the products of the farm are 
oats, corn, wheat, and potatoes. Not a leaf of red or white clover 
grows below Williamsburg. 

Out of the whirl of business and the grooves of trade and travel, 
unacquainted with the luxuries of dress, furniture and equipage, 
the population exhibits no enterprise and feels no inducement to 
raise more than it consumes. Three-fourths of the country are 
forests ; no attention is paid to roads and bridges ; the dwellings 



26 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



are generally neither ceiled nor plastered ; the farms are not fenced, 
though a few lots may be enclosed ; there are no public or private 
schools, and though the man may read and write, he is unac- 
quainted with arithmetic and geography, and has no taste for 
literature and science. Evidently, in view of such facts, the 
planter is deteriorating, and the mystery and art of planting is fall- 
ing into discontinuance of practice. No small proportion of the 
surface is low and level, and in the spring, wet and swampy. 

The Warwick river rises near Yorktown, on the York river, and, 
crossing the peninsula, empties into the James. In its description 
it exhausts the nomenclature of river-features, and, from a spring, 
becomes a morass, a swamp, a creek, a pond, a river with short 
rapids and a tide. Two old, time-worn roads, without fences or 
bridges, lead from Hampton up this Peninsular quadrilateral, and 
unite at Williamsburg ; the right, or York river road, passes 
through Big Bethel and Yorktown; the left, or James river road, 
passes through Newport News and Lee's mill. Not along these 
roads, but rather off from them, at various distances, the " inhabi- 
tants," the ''natives," "the autocthbnes," "the first families of 
Virginia," live. 

It was after eleven, on the evening of the 2d of April, when we 
turned aside from the main road and marched upon a cleared piece 
of ground, where we were commanded to make ourselves comforta- 
ble for the night. We had marched from Fortress Monroe ; eight 
miles in as many hours — halting, marching, marching, halting. 
The afternoon had been warm and bright ; the ground was dry, 
the air clear and mild. The road was crowded with army trains, 
cavalry and artillery. As we passed, we noticed that the peach 
trees were in blossom, and in the old door-yards at Hampton, the 
crocus and daffodil, childhood friends of ours, shook their 
yellow heads in the vernal air ; and the robin and oriole, as if 
catching some indistinct recollection of our appearance, indulged 
their longest songs. 

On the morning of the 3d, we arose from our slumbers on the 
ground after the sun had dried the dew from our blankets. We 
ate our frugal meal consisting of soft bread, boiled ham and coffee 
which we had brought from Alexandria, and after giving a few 
orders, proceeded to take our surroundings. On the north and 
west, nothing separates us from the enemy — we are at the front. 
Keyes' corps extends from Newport News on the south to our 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 27 

camp on the north, at a swamp, which leads into Southwest Branch, 
an arm of the Chesapeake. 

The troops present lay in order from left to right, as follows : 
Smith's division at Newport News on the James ; at its right, 
the division of Couch, and, next, the division of Casey, comprising 
the fourth corps ; at the right of the fourth corps, the second 
corps, of which Sedgwick's division only has arrived ; and, lastly, 
the divisions of the third corps, commanded by Heintzelman. Of 
the Army of the Potomac 53,000 are present. Themselves, their 
tents, their trains, their cavalry and artillery, fill the woods and 
cover all the fields and shore for ten or fifteen miles. 

At 11 a. m., our quartermaster arrives with our rations, camp 
equipage and shelter-tents. We lay out our camp, issue the rations 
and distribute tenting. A piece of cotton cloth, sheeting or drill- 
ing, six feet by five, was given to each soldier, with which to con- 
struct his tente (f abri. Two or three soldiers uniting tie these 
pieces of cloth together, stretch them over sticks cut from the 
woods, and construct of them a tent. Around this tent, thus 
formed, they dig a shallow trench, and their quarters are tolerably 
comfortable in ordinary weather. This is the tente d' abri of the 
French military writers. 

At evening we furnished our first detail for picket. The soldiers 
were contented and happy ; they called our new camp The Peach- 
orchard Camp, from the proximity of a dozen peach-trees. 

In the afternoon, the second and third corps received orders 
to march on the morning of the 4th, at 6 o'clock, by way of Big- 
Bethel, to Howard's creek, half-way to Yorktown. Gen. Keyes 
was ordered to move at the same hour, with the divisions of Smith 
and Couch, by the James river road, to Young's mill and Fisher's 
creek. For want of transportation, Casey's division was left behind. 

Our Colonel was absent in charge of the brigade, and, for some 
reason, Major Mann was in command of the regiment on the night 
of the thrd. Without saying a word to any one, he resolved to 
exercise us in the very important duty of getting ready for a battle 
on the very shortest notice possible. In other words, he desired 
to see how quickly he could get the men in line. 

About one o'clock of the morning, he went quietly to the tent 
of the boy Wolff, the drummer, shook the drowsy curls of slumber 
from his head, and bade him go on the color-line and beat the 
long roll. 



28 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



The long roll is an alarm. It bids the infantry form imme- 
diately to meet the enemy. The boy obeyed. The men awoke, 
and with the greatest haste and precipitation grasped their clothes 
and equipments, and formed in front of the tents in every pos- 
sible condition of a hasty toilet. 

The Major did not try to conceal his pleasure, but, standing 
before them in the starlight, said : "I am perfectly satisfied with 
your promptness and expedition ; it is just three minutes since I 
called the drummer." He then told them that he had ordered 
the long roll beaten to see how quickly they could form, that no 
enemy was near, and that they could go to their quarters again. 
The men greeted the Major's speech with a shout and laugh and 
yell, that tore night's concave. 

But the alarm of our long roll had roused the guards of the 
whole army, and far and near it was repeated ; regiment after 
regiment fell in, until the whole Army of the Potomac stood to 
arms. The noise and uproar roused the watches on the gun-boats 
and frigates in the river ; the navy, wishing a hand in the battle 
or assault, got up steam and cleared for action. 

The next day, Gen. Casey sent for the commanding officer of 
the 98th, Major Mann, and required an explanation. The Major, 
glowing with patriotic zeal and animation, replied, that he was 
practicing his regiment in, just at that time, the very useful exer- 
cise of forming to meet the enemy on a sudden emergency. It 
was said that the expression of anger and vexation painted on the 
face of the author of the Books of Tactics, melted into a broad and 
complacent smile, as he remarked : " Major, you were very 
thoughtless, and must not on any account do so again." The men 
of the regiment never forgot this ridiculous indiscretion. 

On the afternoon of the 5th, Heintzelman's troops halted before 
Yorktown ; and those of Keyes confronted the enemy at Lee's 
mill, where the James river road crosses the Warwick river. 

It rained all day the 5th; the waters of the flood were upon the 
earth. We lay down at night to sleep, cold and wet, in our frail 
shelter-tents. Our camp was low and level. Still we had faith in 
the weather, and went to sleep. About 10 p. m., the rain began 
to pour in true intertropical style. In a short time the water 
stood from a foot to a few inches over all the ground. One after 
another gathered up his clothes and traps, and getting out of his 
tent, stood looking about in the drenching, pouring, driving rain. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 29 

The tent poles loosen in the yielding mud, and the tents go down 
before the sweeping wind. Man after man crawls out, collects his 
earthly effects, wraps his oil cloth around him, and looks for higher 
ground. At this time some one began to sing, high and loud, in 
his tent, near the middle of the officers' line : 

" My days are gliding swiftly by, 

And I a pilgrim stranger, 
Would not detain them as they fly, 

These hours of toil and danger ; 
For now we stand on Jordan's strand, 

Our friends are passing over, 
And just before, the shining shore, 

We may almost discover." 

It was dark as Erebus; the rain fell in sheets and torrents, and 
still that singer sung his hymn loud and clear, so that it 
rolled far over the fields and the woods. The hollow, shelvy 
shores of the James, a mile away, took up the refrain, and rever- 
berated the song. The time and the occasion heightened the 
character of the action. We all became cheerful, and when he 
came to the refrain, and the words " Should coming days be dark 
and cold, we will not yield to sorrow," many accompanied the 
minstrel. 

There was something irresistibly ludicrous in the application, 
and the men, vexed, mad and drenched, were forced to laugh. 
All, long after, confessed that they never heard such singing be- 
fore, nor knew that one man had such volume of bass or force of 
tenor. Paul and Silas, shaking with their singing the foundations 
of the Macedonian prison, were children to him. That singer 
was Lieut. E. M. Allen, subsequently school commissioner of the 
western district of Wayne. 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER III. 



The Materialization of Man — Gen. Casey— Transportation for the Army of the Potomac — The 
Enemy, his Position and Numbers — Anecdote of Charles Kipp — March to Young's Mill — 
Position before Lee's Mill — A Rain again — Duty Excessive — Camp Winfield Scott — Evacu- 
ation of Yorktownby the Enemy and pursuit by the Union Army — Battle of Williamsburg 
and Retreat of the Confederates — De Joinville — The Battle of Williamsburg fought by 
the Corps Commanders. — Strictures on the Battle. 

THEOLOGIANS say that La Place, in his Celestial Mechanism, 
has materialized the universe and dwarfed its vital energy to a 
force. Gen. Casey has taken up the work where the great French 
mathematician left off; and, in his tactics, has effectually succeeded 
in reducing man to a machine and the will and power of govern- 
ment to the word of command. 

Every morning, mounted on a large iron-gray racking horse, 
this man, followed by three or four of his staff, may be seen riding 
at a rapid gait among the camps of his division. He is about six- 
ty years of age, has a severe, nervous look and manner, is not over 
five feet six inches in height, wears a buff-silk sash with bullion 
fringe, and hangs his little, straight, gilt-hilted sword with silver 
grip to his gold-embroidered Russian leather sword-belt. One 
silver star glances from each shoulder-strap. In his left hand he 
holds the reins, and in his right, a little branch or twig. 

After he has gone over his camp and attended to the duties of 
the day, you may see him, of an afternoon in his tent, sitting in 
dressing-gown and slippers, or reclining on his camp-bed, reading 
the Bible or Casey's Tactics. He is the author of a system of 
tactics, in three volumes, mostly compiled or copied from the 
French, and issued by the government for " The instruction, exer- 
cise and manoeuvres of the soldier, a company, line of skirmishers, 
battalion, brigade or corps d' armee " 

He has great personal magnetism, and every body has the ut- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



3 1 



most confidence in him. His ability and courage are beyond 
question. He led the forlorn hope in one of the severest battles 
for the city of Mexico. 

We were busy all day, the 6th, changing our camp for drier 
ground near the main road on the bank of the James. The wind and 
sun of yesterday and to-day have fanned out and warmed our 
clothes, but we are feeling dreadfully old and heavy. To-morrow, 
the 8th, Gen. Casey has ordered a review of the division out on 
the level, well-beaten plain towards Newport News. We feel that 
some broth or toast and tea would be better for us than a march 
and a review. 

On the 1 2th, our transportation arrived, and with it our tents, 
which we left at Washington. 

No expedition on record, ever moved with such rapidity as this. 
In twelve days the Government has transported from the vicinity of 
Alexandria and Washington 12 [,500 men, 14,592 animals, 1,150 
wagons, 44 batteries and 74 ambulances, besides pontoon bridges, 
telegraph material and enormous quantities of equipage, food and 
forage required for an army of such magnitude. Time, distance, 
weight and numbers are the elements which enter into the calcu- 
lation of such a transfer and to transport the army of the Potomac 
the Government employed for ten days 113 steamers at an average 
cost per day of $215.10 ; 188 schooners, at an average price per 
day of $24 45, and 88 barges at an average of $14.27, per day. 

The division has had no opportunity to drill since it left Kalo- 
rama; and the rains, the exposure, the malaria, begin to tell upon 
its numbers. 

We now know where the enemy is, his probable number, and 
the line of fortifications which he occupies. From scouts, spies, 
negroes, we learn that he lies behind the Warwick from its mouth 
on the James at Mulberry island to Y rktown ; that he has a con- 
tinuous line of breastworks and forts, and two wide roads well cor« 
duroyed behind them. The whole distance is between nine and 
ten miles; the fortifications are garrisoned by 15,000 troops com- 
manded by Gen. J. B. Magruder. Good, say the men, and we all 
say good ; for we will soon dust him out of there. Thus far and 
no farther, Richmond has not been a hard road to travel ; but the 
days which try men's souls are yet to come. 

On the 14th, we received orders to march in the morning, and 
take the place assigned us in the lines before Yorktown. Couch's 



32 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

division is at the James extending up the Warwick ; Smith's is at 
the right, connecting with Sumner's (second) corps ; and we are to 
take the line between Couch and Smith, facing Lee's mill and ex- 
tending on both sides of the James river road. Just the place we 
wanted. 

Before leaving, the writer rode to Newport News to visit some 
eight or ten of his company sick with Peninsular fever. 

They were quartered in houses, sheds, hovels and barns. Among 
them was a certain private, Charles Kipp, who, the surgeon said, 
was too sick to recover. We found him in a shed on a couch of 
straw. After sitting a few moments on a box by his side, Kipp ex- 
tended his hand to us and said : " Captain, I have one last dying 
request to make. Promise me on the faith of a soldier and a man 
that you will not refuse it." We paused. He said : "Will you 
promise me?" We replied : " We will do as you wish if we can." 
'* Thank you, Captain," said he. "If I die send my body home 
to Walworth; I don't want to be buried in this God-forsaken 
ground. I am willing to die, but I do not want to leave my body 
in this devilish sand and clay." We told him not to be dis- 
couraged ; to escape the burial by getting well, and to follow us. 

Private Kipp is alive to-day ; but there was a striking similarity 
between the poor, sick boy's request and that made by the patri- 
arch Jacob, of Joseph, when the old man thought of the slimy, 
oozy, yearly inundated soil of Old Egypt, and said : " Bury me 
not, I pray thee, bury me not in Egypt ; but I will lie with my 
fathers. And thou shalt carry me out of Egypt and bury me in 
their burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his 
wife ; there they buried Isaac and Rebecca his wife ; and there I 
buried Leah." 

On the 15th, before the birds had sung their morning carol, our 
tents were struck, our baggage packed, our breakfast eaten, and we 
were halting along the river road waiting the order to march. The 
third brigade is the last ; and trains, troops and batteries are mov- 
ing by. We are to go to Young's mill and encamp ; but not be- 
fore 8 o'clock are we on the way. The day is warm, the road 
uneven, often muddy or covered with water, often dug out by 
the rains and little streams. Cheerful, laughing, smoking, talking, 
telling anecdotes and stories, we jog along. We drink from our 
canteens as we are thirsty, and eat from our haversacks as we are 
hungry, the food which we carry. We sing " The Star-spangled 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



33 



Banner," "Away down South in Dixie," and "John Brown's 
Body Lies Mouldering in the Grave," and thus beguile the way. 
At 5 p. m. Young's far-famed saw-mill is passed, and the brigade 
halts on the farther bank of the stream. 

Thus far we have observed that the enemy has generally burned 
his farm-houses, (for he has no other buildings), and removed his 
hearth-stones and filled up his wells. With these miserable people 
hatred to the North has been no pretence ; no effort for political 
effect. They hated us with a deep-seated, malicious, Indian hatred, 
and, leaving at our approach, they burned their homes and never 
looked behind them. Not a potato, an egg, a chicken, a pint of 
milk can be found. Around us is nothing to eat, and we have 
marched away from everything but the army ration. 

Sitting by a little fire, on a roll of blankets which we had carried 
all day, we looked into the setting sun and ate our evening meal, 
consisting of boiled salt-beef, hard bread, boiled rice, and tea. 

At eight, we notice a rattle of moving troops, a clatter of order- 
lies and staff-officers, and perceive that the brigade is getting under 
arms. We learn the cause : Couch fears an attack near Warwick 
court-house, and has sent for support. "Ninety-eighth, fall in," 
passes along the line; and, marching, halting, we arrived about 
ten o'clock within supporting distance of Couch, and lay down on 
the ground to sleep. 

This bivouac was in a thin pine-wood, a few rods at the right of 
the road, which was skirted in place of a fence with hazel, brier 
and other bushes. In front, the ground was open or covered at 
intervals with bushes and sloped, low and swampy, to the Warwick 
a mile and a half away. The next day our tents came up, and we 
pitched them among the pines. Those trees were from ten to fif- 
teen inches through, a hundred years old; and the corn rows or 
tobacco hills were still visible among them. 

" With merry songs we mock the wind, 
Which in the pine-tops grieves, 
And slumber long and sweetly 
On beds of oaken leaves." 

Gen. Keyes had his headquarters at Warwick court-house, a 
mile to our right ; the James is three miles to our left ; the enemy 
is in our front, beyond the Warwick river. From the York river 
3 



34 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



come, every few moments, the reports of heavy guns on the water- 
batteries and the gun-boats. 

We have no longer tents of ease, for every day our duties and 
labors become more arduous. The details for picket and grand- 
guard are frequent. The army is building numerous bridges and 
miles of corduroy roads. Our labors are excessive, equaling those 
of the anvil and the mine. 

Straight through the forests, over marshes and swamps, across an 
arm of the sea, from left to right, it constructed a road to 
Cheesman's creek on the Chesapeake. For a time Capt. Ellsworth 
of the 98th was division path-master. To him the details reported 
and received from him their orders and directions. Soon, we 
cease to go to Fortress Monroe, and Cheesman's landing becomes 
the depot for supplies. 

"Don't trust to appearances," says the Latin poet. On the 
20th came again, at night, another of those drenching rains. At 
evening the meteorological aspect, the horoscope of the heavens, 
indicated nothing unusual. At eleven, the rain began slow at first, 
but with increasing force ; at 2 A. m. the windows of heaven were 
opened. The water stood a foot deep on our saucer-shaped camp- 
ground. No sagacity could have selected a better place to catch 
the rain. The ground grew soft, and the wind loosening the tent- 
pins, tents and beds and men went down together, and one pro- 
digious ruin followed all. 

The next day we struck, if not for higher, certainly for declining 
ground. It was found at the right, in a field before a wood, in 
front of Warwick court-house and directly opposite Lee's mill. 
This was the last camp of the regiment below the Chickahominy; and 
here, at the evacuation of Yorktown, we left our tents standing and 
joined in the pursuit. We named it camp Winfield Scott, in honor 
of the hero who directed, from his home in Washington, the battle 
of Bull-run. 

While there, the sick of the division increased rapidly. The de- 
tails for picket were large ; numerous fatigue parties were working 
day and night building intrenchments, abatis, approaches and 
roads. 

The lines were not more than two hundred yards apart, while 
the camps were a mile or more. In going and returning, we 
passed through the fields and woods without track or road. Our 
shoes and clothes were seldom dry. While on picket we lay out 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



35 



day and night watching the enemy from a fence-corner, a tree, 
or a brush-heap. He often fired at our line, and here we saw the 
first soldier wounded. Alarms were frequent ; the troops were 
called out at all hours, often twice a night. When Col. Crocker 
of the 93d N. Y. volunteers went over to the enemy the utmost 
excitement prevailed, and every precaution was taken to avoid a 
surprise. We doubled the pickets, we took positions, we slept with 
our arms in our hand. One night the enemy sent a large shell 
screaming, whizzing over our camp ; and half the regiment, of its 
own accord, arose and listened. 

From this camp the 98th sent over one hundred and fifty to the 
hospital. 

McClellan's plan is to turn the enemy's position, get behind 
him and gain rhe Williamsburg road. The Army of the Potomac 
contains over 100,000 men. They cover the ground as thick as 
autumnal leaves, and the day for- making that attempt is at hand. 

History is constantly repeating itself; and battles, sieges and 
retreats conducted under similar circumstances are almost identical. 
In the siege of Yorktown by Washington in 1781, the investment 
was complete, his lines extending from the river above the town to 
the river below : so now, McClellan proposes to surround 
Magruder. Cornwallis retreated down the peninsula from Wil- 
liamsburg to Yorktown ; Magruder will not stay to be surrounded, 
but will retire towards Williamsburg. 

In 1862, the investment was from below; and on the 1st of 
May McClellan's lines extended from the mouth of Wormley's 
creek on the York to the mouth of the Warwick on the James. 
He intended to turn the enemy's position, and capture or surround 
him. For this purpose he built roads, dug approaches and 
parallels, and brought up his siege guns. At the right, along 
Wormley's creek, where the ground is high and broken, the 
engineering skill of Gen. Barnard had so contrived the breast- 
works and approaches, that a regiment could march or a six- 
horse army team could be driven from the camps in the rear to the 
front line within twenty rods of the enemy with perfect security. 
There we saw, as this continent never exhibited before or since, 
how to use with advantage a hill, a ravine, a river-bank, the de- 
pressions and elevations of the ground, for curtain, approach and 
parallel. 

On the 29th of April, we rode slowly through that labyrinth from 



36 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



the rear to the front. Our road led across a bridge, along the 
shore of a little stream, under the side of a hill, through the hill, 
deep and wide through a level pasture-field to the high bank of the 
York, and along this bank to the front line or parallel. We re- 
turned by a shorter approach farther to the left. On our return in 
the evening, we passed over the high ground declining to the west 
and north, on which all of Heintzelman's and most of Sumner's 
corps were encamped. Regiments, brigades, divisions, appeared to 
lie without intervals together. Seated by their camp-fires they 
were eating their evening ration. We saw them later in knots and 
circles, jumping, running, wrestling. Everywhere we heard the 
voice of mirth and song. 

Their camps were clean to neatness, and they had none but 
shelter-tents. Many of the camps were decorated with arches and 
shades of evergreens. They sat on benches, chairs and stools of 
their own construction, and were playing cards, talking, smoking, 
reading- or writing. The Wormley in their front, the York on 
their right, the Chesapeake in their rear, were bright with the light 
of their fires. 

More than two thousand years ago Homer wrote, as Pope trans- 
lated, the following description of a similar scene : 

" The troops, exulting sat in order round, 
And beaming fires illumined all the ground ; 
As when the moon, resplendent orb of night, 
O'er heaven's pure azure sheds her sacred light, 
When not a cloud o'ercasts the solemn scene, 
And not a breath disturbs the deep serene; 
Around her throne the vivid planets roll, 
And stars unnumbered gild the glowing pole ; 
O'er the dark trees a yellow verdure shed, 
And tipped with silver every mountain's head." 

So early as the ist of May indications justified the opinion that 
the enemy was evacuating that part of his line in front of Casey's 
division ; the troops in sight became sensibly fewer, and all night 
our pickets heard the sound of moving troops and trains. Our 
brigade front covered something more than half a mile; and on the 
morning of the 3d, the officers in charge of the picket line re- 
ported to Gen. Palmer that there were not a hundred men in the 
defensive works about Lee's mill. From the top of the highest 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



37 



trees they could see none but a few camp followers, scavengers 
and the picket line. On the morning of the 4th, some of our men 
ventured nearer and nearer, until they ascertained that the enemy's 
pickets were withdrawn, and his intrenchments silent and deserted. 

Sunday morning, the 4th, was bright and warm. Sending our 
sick away, leaving our tents standing, our baggage in them under 
guard, by eight o'clock, we were all on the road in pursuit. We 
crossed the Warwick and halted an hour in the works at Lee's 
mill. Before leaving, the enemy had buried shells and torpedoes 
in the forts and roads. By the explosion of one of these, a soldier 
in the 5 2d regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, was literally torn 
to pieces ; one of his toes was found in the haversack of a com- 
rade. 

Our skirmish line advanced slowly fearing an ambuscade ; behind, 
the troops following hurry and crowd together in the road. 

On each side, at the edge of the road, inarched a line of infantry 
by the flank ; between these lines, in the beaten way, the cavalry 
and artillery moved. At intervals, we pass the wreck of a wagon, a 
horse or a cart. We march with spirit and enthusiasm, but are 
unable to make this day more than six miles. Keyes and Casey 
make every effort to get ahead, but they encounter Heintzelman 
and Sumner, and must wait. When the sun went down that day 
the division encamped in a large field on the Yorktown and Wil- 
liamsburg road, four miles below the latter place. In the morn- 
ing Stoneman, had skirmished with Wade Hampton over the field, 
and had driven him into the defences of Williamsburg. 

All day the utmost confusion was apparent. Generals, troops, 
trains, orders, clashed, obstructed, interrupted each other, so 
that no infantry reached the front before the morning of the 5th. 
Our camp was in an old wheat-field, interspersed with bushes, on a 
little hill, behind a thin oak and pine wood, which sloped in front 
to a brook. Sunday night it rained again — a drizzling, misty, 
steady rain. 

During the day and night we had nothing to eat, nothing but 
water to drink ; for we did not see Alfred Courtright who carried 
our rations and blankets. A double cloth overcoat was our cover- 
ing, tent and bed. 

Monday morning about 4 o'clock, a. m., as we lay on a pile of rails, 
cold, wet, hungry, we felt some one pulling at our sleeve and 
waking, recognized Alfred. Said we: " Courtright, in the name 



38 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



of humanity, where have you been ?" Said he : "I was cut off by 
the trains ; I lost my way and have been traveling all night. 
Do you wish something to eat and drink?" Said we: "The 
Lord bless you, Courtright, what have you got?" "Here," said 
he, "is a canteen full of milk, and this other canteen I slipped 
from the shoulder of a sleeping commissary over under the tarpau- 
lin in Regan's battery. Then, I have part of a quarter of 
pig and a loaf of corn-bread, which I bought of an old Secesh as I 
struck across the lots." There are cases when a word of explana- 
tion is sufficient; we did not feel like pressing the cause of his 
absence any further. 

By sunrise we were under arms again. Troops, trains, and 
artillery had been coming up all night. The road was wedged 
full ; we were compelled to march in the fields and woods. The 
rain fell rapidly ; the mud was hub-deep, and resembled a long bed 
of grayish yellow mortar. Wagons, horses, men, dragged with 
difficulty, their slow length along. As we moved, we heard the 
sound of cannon ; we could even at intervals distinguish the rattle 
of small arms, and we knew that our troops were engaged at the 
front. 

At three corners near Chesapeake church, we took a position 
by the side of the road and stacked arms. Less than a mile in 
front, all this day, May 5th, they fought the battle of Williams- 
burg. The spirits of our men were exuberant ; yet they anxiously 
inquired of every one coming from the front. 

The divisions of Hooker and Kearney, and the brigade of Han- 
cock were fighting the battle, while thousands and thousands of 
troops, just out of range, filled the woods, the roads and the fields. 
Casey pushes forward with his division, but Sumner orders him to 
halt. Naglee, and Keim commanding our first and second brigades, 
importune to no effect. Even our brigade commander, Palmer, 
wanted to fight ! 

About 10 a. m. we saw an officer, followed by an orderly, rid- 
ing at a fearful rate, splashing, plunging past us down the muddy 
road. He is a captain ; wears a broad-rimmed felt hat, and a dark- 
blue overcoat. He is about five feet ten, rather spare, and, though 
black as a mulatto, his features are Caucasian, his nose sharp, his 
lips thin. Because he rides so fast in the mud, the men yell at 
him as he goes. He smiles, touches his hat, and spurs again his 
dark bay horse. Who is it ? ask a dozen men at once. Some one 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 39 

says, "The Prince de Joinville." Hurrah for "Johnville" echo 
the woods around. 

At 2 p m., De Joinville returned from Yorktown with McClel- 
lan. The latter, on the ground, disposed and dispatched but 
little. Keim, however, was permitted to assist Kearney and Naglee 
to support Hancock. Repeated attempts were made by the troops 
in front directly on the enemy's works, and each advance was re- 
pulsed with heavy loss. Night and the rain came on, but nothing 
was • accomplished except the killing of our men. After n p. m. 
the foe retired and left his works unmanned ; and his heavy guns 
were harmless as logs. 

Before 8 a. m. of the 6th, our brigade marched into Fort 
Magruder, and the 98th stacked arms along the parapet. We im- 
mediately sent details to pick up the enemy's wounded and bury the 
slain of both armies. 

Historians agree that the battle of Williamsburg was a blunder. 
It afforded the enemy an opportunity to try his guns on our advanc- 
ing troops. In his report McClellan makes his explanation and 
apology. Had he employed the forces which were at hand, he 
might have captured the enemy; had he restrained Hooker and 
Kearney from fighting, he might have saved 2,500 men. Hooker 
and Kearney were rash and imprudent, and fought the enemy in 
precisely the way in which the enemy proposed. Sumner, Heintzel- 
man and Keyes, in the language of De Joinville, were old women 
in frills and curls; and, since we must work out our salvation with 
the means which Providence has given us, what under the circum- 
stances could McClellan do better than to leave the conduct of 
affairs to them ? He could not slightly esteem their rank, their 
dignity, or their political influence. 



4o 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER IV. 



The Anabasis of the Army of the Potomac — Fort Magruder — The Evacuation of— We start in 
Pursuit of the Enemy— The Battle-field of Williamsburg— William and Mary's College- 
Lemuel Bowden — On the March — Mrs. Pickett — West Point and a Flank Movement — 
Roper's Church and the Moving Army— Colonel Van Wyck in Arrest — New Kent Court 
House— The Country Improving — Baltimore Cross-roads — The Chickahominy before us. 



ORT Magruder was built on a level plain about two miles from 



J. Williamsburg and eight from Yorktown. The Confederate line 
of works there was four miles long, extending from an arm of Col- 
lege creek, a tributary of the James, to an arm of Queen's creek, a 
branch of the York. Before this fort the two roads from Fortress 
Monroe come out of the woods and meet at a point eight miles 
above Yorktown. It is the largest earth-work we have seen; and 
from right to left, along this four mile front, there are twelve 
redoubts, or inclosed forts of small dimensions, having strong pro- 
files, deep ditches, and high faces. Before the line, within artil- 
lery range, the woods were slashed, the roads obstructed and 
numerous rifle-pits dug. While at Yorktown, the enemy had his 
first line, this was constructed for his second. Along the War- 
wick was the first shell, before Williamsburg the second, and 
beyond the Chickahominy the third shell, covering the kernel ; so 
we found Richmond a hard nut to crack. 

The rules of strategy taught him that, with the rivers in our pos- 
session, both of these lines became untenable. In his retreat, the 
enemy left his heavy cannon which he had stolen from the Gosport 
navy-yard at Norfolk. 

At Fort Magruder, May 6th, we made the following memoranda : 
" Yesterday afternoon and evening, Gen. McClellan had his head- 
quarters at Mr. Adam's house, a half mile in rear of our line of 
battle across the Yorktown road, where Hooker, Smith, and Kear- 
ney were fighting. We have seen him several times with staff and 
escort riding about in the rain, having consultations, making ob- 




FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 41 

servations and giving directions. By the agitation of the troops 
we can tell where he is. 

" Our regiment, in fact, our division, was kept on the move and 
awake all last night ; our generals fancied the enemy making a 
concentration for a sortie, or heavy attack. The darkness was in- 
tense, and the rain poured down until 3 o'clock. We held our 
arms in our hands, and either stood at attention, or marched 
through the wood, brush, mud, water, and fields, tired, wet, 
sleepy, and hungry. 

" At 4 a. m. of the 6th, the regiment marched about 80 rods 
to the right of Mr. Adams' house and took a position in a field 
along a rail fence with an oak and pine wood in front, and there 
became a part of the second line of battle. 

" All was quiet : not a random picket shot disturbed the morn- 
ing hours. Insensibly our discipline relaxed, and many of us 
snatched an hour's sleep, holding, resting, or lying on the fence. 

"Soon after 6, while the men were making coffee in their tin 
cups, and dividing the contents of their haversacks among each 
other, Gen. Casey's adjutant informs us that the enemy has evacu- 
ated, and that we must join in the pursuit. At hearing this, said 
Lieut. Adams: 'Anything for a change.' ' All promenade,' said 
Lieut. Washburn, as he shouldered a roll of blankets and two rifles 
belonging to some sick men. ( On to Richmond again/ said 
Capt. Mannix, as he placed himself at the head of A company and 
began the march. Our road crossed a tributary of Queen's creek, 
on the head of a mill-dam, and passing through an evacuated 
redoubt, ran over the field on which Hancock made his brilliant 
advance the evening before. Two or three hundred of the 
enemy's dead still lay where they fell. His wounded were col- 
lected in a barn and shed near the battle-ground. 

" Arriving at Fort Magruder, the division sent details to bury 
the dead down the Williamsburg road. The regiment dispatched 
twenty men with an officer to camp Winfield Scott, to store the 
tents and surplus articles at Yorktown, and return with the bag- 
gage and provisions. 

4 'Near the middle of the day, with two or three officers, we 
walked over the battle field where the burial party was collecting 
the dead. The Yorktown road half a mile south of Fort Magruder 
approached out of a dense wood which stretched away indefinitely 
to the right and left. The enemy had felled the trees in the front 



4 2 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



of this wood on both sides of the road ; and there in the slashing, 
in the wood, and in the edge of the wood, along the felled tim- 
ber, the battle was fought. There, the wounded, the dying were 
thickest. On the brush, among the limbs, against the stumps and 
trunks, in the mud, in the water, on the wet ground, they lay. In 
the road, along the road, in the grass, on the leaves, in the slash- 
ing, in the ditches, cold and dead they lay, a heart-rending com- 
mentary on a nation's quarrel. 

" In the wood, in an old ditch, which Cornwallis or La Fayette 
had made, we counted thirteen dead soldiers from Michigan, lying 
so close that they touched each other. We saw a North Caro- 
linian sitting with his back against a rail fence ; a three inch ball 
had pierced his breast ; his heart hung by a ligament on his waist 
outside his clothes. He was of the enemy's picket. As useless all 
their death as if an earthquake had smacked ' its mumbling lips 
above them.' 

"We remained bivouacking in Fort Magruder until the 9th. 
Our baggage, or impedimenta, came up, and we slept and rested. A 
few of our sick joined us and we sent a few to hospital. But one, 
Lieut. Storms, has died on the Peninsula. Many of us are neither 
sick nor actually well. Want of regular and suitable food and 
rest have left their traces upon us all. Our clothes have become 
worn and soiled ; our cheeks, skin and eyes, betray the exposure 
and irregularity of our lives. 

"The 98th numbers about 700, officers and privates, present. 
Lieut. L. A. Rogers has command of the guard of the balloon train. 
On the afternoon of the 8th, Professor Lowe passed us with his 
balloon corps. 

" Not satisfied with all his men had borne, Naglee, that restless 
officer, tried to drill his men out on the level plain before the 
fort, but it would not do; Casey stopped him. Had you, reader, 
seen the old man when he forbade him, seen him when he expos 
tulated, seen his sleeve shake and his chin tremble, you could 
have formed some idea of the fire which burned within him, and 
would have concluded that he was no ordinary man, provoked at 
no trivial circumstance." 

On the 8th, we walked to Williamsburg,. to see the town and 
the inhabitants thereof. From a boy this was a place of no ordi- 
nary interest to us. Henry, Lee, Randolph and Jefferson first dis- 
tinguished themselves here. It is intimately associated with the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



43 



early history of Washington ; and in it the old colonial governors 
held their court with vice-regal pomp and ceremony. The great 
men who graduated at William and Mary's college have added to 
its celebrity. 

In its day and generation Williamsburg was an important town. 
It became the seat of government in 1698, and never contained 
over two thousand inhabitants; but the fashion, wealth and learn- 
ing of this old capital have left their impression upon the manners 
and characteristics of the Old Dominion The royal state in which 
the governors lived has vanished, the polite and brilliant circle 
which surrounded them, is broken ; yet, in the college, the library, 
the statuary, the old buildings, pictures and furniture, are relics 
and figures which help to reanimate and repeople the town. 

The town contains a court-house, an insane asylum and Wil- 
liam and Mary's college, which was burned by our soldiers sub- 
sequently during the war. On the college green, near the point 
where the road divides, is the statue of Lord Botetourt, shaded by 
live oak-trees. It is a specimen of elegant sculpture in court- 
dress, with a short sword. The Confederates made a hospital of 
the college, and everything was broken and in disorder. 

At the head of a cross-street stood the palace of Lord Dunmore ; 
the office and the guard-house are standing, but the palace was 
burned accidentally, by some French troops after the surrender of 
Cornwallis, in 1781. The old magazine, built of brick about 140 
years ago, is crumbling to ruins beside the street, near the college. 
Moving the powder from this, in 1775, Lord Dunmore, by that 
arbitrary act, threw the whole of Virginia into excitement, and 
occasioned the first assembling of an armed force to resist royal 
authority. Near this magazine, after the expiration of his presi- 
dency, John Tyler lived for a few years. 

A place not of least interest was Raleigh Tavern, a one-story 
house, built in form of an L, with basement and garret and dormer 
windows. It is still a public house, with Walter Raleigh's bust 
on the portico ; but the weary, the hungry, the dry, can find no 
entertainment there. 

In its rooms many important committees of the colonial legis- 
lature met. Here Richard Henry Lee originated the plan for 
uniting the colonies. 

Williamsburg is the oldest incorporated city in Virginia ; and 
in it no house has been built since 1820. The dwellings, though 



44 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



antiquated, are comfortable ; all the chimneys are on the outside, 
and all the first floors are on a level with, or below the surface of 
the ground. A few of them have been painted ; the rest have 
never felt the painter's brush. 

The population, as well as the town, is in decline; "the land 
eateth up its inhabitants." As we pass along, now and then, a 
hand unseen turns the blinds, or draws the curtain, and a pretty 
face looks at us through the window. 

Many of them have gone away ; and those who remain stay 
within doors. Those whom we see say that we will come back 
singing a different tune. They predict that we will never cross 
the Chickahominy, that death awaits us there. They maintain that 
our gun-boats can be of no use when we get up so far, and that the 
whole South will rise and fight us at the passings of that fated river. 

Before one of the more humble dwellings, sat Lemuel Bowden 
in a chair; among the faithless, faithful only he. A Union man 
and a distinguished lawyer, he was afterwards United States sena- 
tor from East Virginia. With light hair, red face and gray eyes, 
he sat, friendly, smiling, bowing to us all as we passed his home. 

Williamsburg is just four miles from each river, ten from York- 
town, seven from Old Jamestown, and fifty-eight from Richmond. 
In i860, its population was 1,600; in 1870, 1,392. 

In the forests, the oak is more abundant than the pine ; in the 
field, where sown, the red-clover takes root, one seed on about 
two feet square. Adding the sweet potato, they cultivate the same 
products as we. We have now passed through four counties of 
Virginia, and of them Elizabeth City is most valuable. 

We have related that all of Keyes' corps and parts of Heintzel- 
man's and Sumner's marched up the Peninsula, and were present 
at the battle of Williamsburg. For the purpose of making a flank 
movement, and capturing or surrounding the rear guard of the 
enemy, McClellan dispatched, on the afternoon of the 5th May, 
on transports, Franklin's division, up the York river, to West 
Point. 

The division landed the 6th, on the right bank of the Pamunky, 
and encamped in a level field, containing more than a thousand 
acres. During that day the divisions of Porter, Sedgwick and 
Richardson arrived, and joined the troops of Franklin. On the 
7th, the National forces fought with Whiting's division, the rear 
guard of Johnson's retreating army, the battle of West Point. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



45 



Gen. Joseph E. Johnson was, for some time before the evacuation 
of Yorktown, in command of the Confederate forces on the Penin- 
sula. With him, probably the ablest officer of the South, McClel- 
lan will contend until the battle of Fair Oaks. 

As a flanking operation, the movement to West Point failed. 

The Pamunky and Mattapony uniting at that place, form the 
York river. The village stands on a point of land at the conflu- 
ence of the two rivers ; and, when on the morning of the 6th, the 
sailors hoisted the Union flag over it, every white person had 
fled. 

The York river is an estuary of the Chesapeake, and those two 
are its affluents. The tide rises on the Pamunky far above the 
White house. West Point and White house became, in turn, bases 
for supplies to the Army of the Potomac. 

On the morning of the 8th, Stoneman, commanding the cavalry 
advance, left Williamsburg in pursuit of the enemy, who passed 
West Point, the evening before, twenty miles above. 

On the morning of the 9th, the sun rose bright and clear and 
warm. A light wind from the south, odorous with the breath of 
spring, waved the wheat fields, rustled the dark green leaves of the 
holly, and moaned long and softly in the pine tops. At 7 a. m , 
we began the march; Keyes' corps behind, and Casey's division 
the rear guard. We are marching along, remote, unfriended, me- 
lancholy, slow. 

We go without interruption to Williamsburg, and pass in 
review before McClellan, standing in a window at the Raleigh 
Tavern. Around the college green, the main street of the village 
divides; the left hand leads to the James river, and the right 
becomes the York river-road. We take the right hand, and halt 
an hour beside the college. We have an opportunity to visit the 
building again. It had then become a hospital for our sick and 
wounded, of wjiom several hundred were lying wrapped in their 
blankets, on its time-worn floors. Silently, thoughtfully, reve- 
rently, we stroll through its classic halls. As the crowd of worthies 
who have been educated here come to mind, we feel like placing 
our hand upon our mouth, and taking off our shoes. 

Leaving, we stopped a moment in the dispensary to converse 
with the surgeon ; and, seeing him tear leaves from a volume of 
Horace and wrap his prescriptions in them, we asked him how he 
justified such vandalism and desecration. 



4 6 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Said he: " You know Horace said : ' It is sweet for our country 
to die; so let him die the death.' " 

Near n o'clock we start again, and march by the flank at the 
route step. The whole army has taken the same road, and our 
long trains, and the obstructions which the enemy has made, 
render it, in places, almost impassible. The infantry march on 
the sides of the road — the trains and artillery take the beaten track. 

Each man carried his rifle and equipments, forty rounds of am- 
munition, three days' cooked rations, a blanket, and a knapsack, 
a total burden of not less than sixty pounds. That day we accom- 
plished ten miles, and, in the evening, encamped on the farm of 
Mrs. Pickett, sister of Lemuel Bowden. At the request of her 
brother, Gen. McClellan has sent word that he and his staff will be 
her guests for the night. Our division sent a guard to her house, 
and each brigade sent a band to welcome the general on his arri- 
val. Her dwelling was amply commodious, and her preparations 
suitable for his accommodation. Unforeseen duties prevented him 
from keeping his engagement. The mistress and her daughters 
were in their evening pride ; and, until late in the night, around 
x her mansion, music arose with its voluptuous swell. 

The 98th encamped in an old stubble field, beside an orchard, 
and the men bought corn-dodgers of Mrs. Pickett's negroes. The 
market for hard bread was quiet, dull ; the general tendency being 
in the buyer's favor. In bivouacking, we procured leaves, straw, 
boughs, rails and bark, on which to spread our blankets and keep 
us from the ground. On such occasions, boards are the greatest 
luxuries; they command a premium. 

The 10th, we advanced ten miles farther to Roper's Church. 
Xenophon, in his Retreat of the immortal Ten Thousand has given 
us the distance marched, day after day, from town to town, from 
river to river, and made every parasang of that eventful journey 
live. Our expedition is fraught with as much interest to the world 
as his, our army is as large as those which in most instances have 
fought the decisive battles of the world ; but we need his divine 
gift, to paint and animate, to give life and action. 

Marching up this road with us are nearly eighty thousand men. 
They cover all the fields; they fill the woods; in three long, heavy 
lines they thread the road. The very surface of the ground ap- 
pears agitated like the surface of the sea; ambulances, artillery, 
cavalry, infantry, and long files of army wagons move, rising and 



FOUR YEA.FS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



47 



falling like the billows. " Reader, piece out our imperfections 
with your thoughts, multiply one man into a thousand, make an 
imaginary army, and think when we talk of horses that you see 
them printing their proud hoofs into the receiving earth ; think 
that you see the heavily loaded wagons, up hill and down, through 
rut and mire, over bridgeless streams, making their slow, difficult 
way; and that you see the infantry moving, standing, sitting, ri- 
sing to stand or march, or to sit down again, gaining in advance 
but ten miles from morning to night." 

We remained the nth and the 12th at Roper's Church. Here 
several officers were arrested for taking and carrying away private 
property. During the afternoon of the 12th, a colonel passed 
through the edge of our camp, seated high on a number of bags 
filled with corn, and piled in an old New Jersey wagon drawn by 
two yokes of oxen. Up with him on the bags, sat three or four 
privates, a hospital steward, and a young lieutenant ; on the ground, 
half running and half walking, before the oxen and on each side 
of them, were eight or ten other members of his regiment talking 
and frisking about him. The colonel had on a broad-rimmed, 
low felt hat, a colonel's coat and straps, a private's shirt, trousers, 
and shoes ; and made no elfort to conceal the elation which shone 
from his face and sparkled from his eyes. 

He resembled Bacchus, as we have often seen him represented in 
some old classic book, in his triumphal chariot, making the con- 
quest of India ; or, perhaps, more truly, the group represented the 
figures in some Roman triumph, which we had often admired, 
painted or wrought on Flemish tapestry. That officer was Colonel 
Van Wyck, representative in the 37th congress, from the tenth 
district of New York. He is colonel of the 56th regiment N. Y. 
volunteers, and he raised for the service his regiment, called 
the Tenth Legion, a light battery and several companies of 
cavalry. 

He reaches his camp, sitting still on the bags, and telling the men 
of his regiment, where and how he captured the corn, the wagon 
and the oxen, when an aide of General McClellan rides up 
hastily, and politely touches his cap before him, and asks if he is 
Colonel Van Wyck. Van Wyck replies: " I am the man, sir." 
The aide adds : " I am directed by Gen. McClellan to place you 
in arrest, for violating the general order in relation to appropri- 
ating private property. You will remain with your regiment and 



48 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



charges will be made out in a few days. He further directs that 
you return the property forthwith to its owner." The aide, after 
again touching his hat, rode away. 

Said Van Wyck to those standing about him : " In the name of 
God, I'd like to ask, if this is the way they mean to put down the 
rebellion ? What is the use of an army if they expect peace with- 
out hurting any one? What the devil are we down here for? War 
means to kill, capture and destroy, to do the enemy all the 
damage possible ; and now I swear, here, in open war, they 
put me in arrest for capturing some corn and two yokes of oxen. 
I wonder if Old Abe understands what is going on down here, and 
that we are guarding and protecting rebel property?" Van Wyck 
was ignorant of the existence of such an order, and the next day 
was released from arrest. 

On the 1 2th, Lieut. Holmes, 104th Pennsylvania volunteers, 
from whose shoulder Alfred Courtright slipped the canteen, below 
Chesapeake church, received a commission as commissary of sub- 
sistence, from the President, with the rank of captain. We sent 
him the canteen with congratulations. 

On the 13th, we were nineteen hours marching twelve miles to 
New Kent court-house. Here we remained three days, and West 
Point became our base of supplies. It was 2 a. m. of the 14th, 
when we stopped in a wheat -field, near a wood, to encamp. We 
lay down at once, and soon were all asleep. It was the most tire- 
some day's journey we had ever made ; the hot sun, the dry 
ground, the walking, standing, and waiting seemed to draw the 
life out of us. A few had permission to fall behind ; they joined 
the regiment on the 14th. 

New Kent village has less than twenty houses. The old dilapi- 
dated court-house witnessed the early forensic displays of Patrick 
Henry. It is thirty miles from Richmond, three from the Pa- 
munky, and ten from White house. New Kent county lies between 
the Chickahominy and the Pamunky, and is twenty-six miles long 
and nine wide. 

We observe a marked difference around us ; the farms are more 
valuable, the land more fertile, and the cultivation better. The 
cleared land is gaining upon the forests ; the houses, fields, fences, 
roads, and orchards, indicate more thrift and wealth. 

On the evening of the 17th, we pitched , our moving tents at 
Baltimore cross-roads, seven miles beyond our morning fires. Our 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 49 

camp was on the land of Dr. Tazwell Tyler, son of the ex-president, 
and then a surgeon in the Confederate army. 

The 1 8th was Sunday, and we remained in camp. On the 19th, 
we left Baltimore cross-roads and marched two miles below Dis- 
patch station, near the York river railroad. We finished our 
journey a few hours before sunset, and had time to make some ob- 
servations. 

The Chickahominy is before us, the enemy is on its opposite 
bank, the railroad bridge is on fire ; we hear the frequent crack of 
the Sharp rifle, and we are twelve miles from Richmond. 

Life is a journey; life is a battle ; life is a bivouac. 

" Let us then be up and doing, 

With a heart for any fate ; 
Still achieving, still pursuing, 

Learn to labor and to wait."' 



4 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



C H A P T E R V. 



The York River Railroad — The White house — The Peninsular Road — The Sick sent to Cumber- 
land Landing — The Sick Soldier — The Position of the Army Corps — The Army of the Poto- 
mac — Crossing the Chickahominy— Advance of Naglee to Seven Pines- Bivouacking and 
Talking the Battle Over — The Chickahominy and the lay of the Land— A Night on Picket 
and What we Saw— Concluding Notes from our Log Book, written on the Spot. 

THE York river railroad runs from Richmond to West Point. 
From Richmond to White house, the distance is about twenty- 
three miles, and West Point is twenty miles farther down. This 
railroad runs nearly parallel with the Williamsburg road, and 
crosses the Pamunky and the Chickahominy on trestle bridges. 
It connects Richmond with the York river, as the Norfolk and 
Petersburg railroad unites it with the lower Chesapeake and the 
sea-board. 

The White house of 1862 stood on the site of the one in which 
Mr. Chamberlayne entertained Major Washington, in 1758, when 
on his way from the Monongahela to Williamsburg. It was a 
long, narrow house with a hall through it crossways. A large 
chimney at each end stood outside the house, which was still 
further extended by building an addition outside the chimneys. 
The kitchen and the negroes' quarters stood a few rods behind the 
house. The ground sloped to the river eight or ten rods in front. 
The garden was small ; the fruit-trees not over half a dozen ; the 
locusts and button-woods not over three or four, stood too far 
away for shade. It would be worthy of no mention, or distinc- 
tion, if not associated with the name of Washington. Men and 
their actions have sanctified Mount Tabor and Mount Helicon, 
and given celebrity to Independence Hall. 

Thus far, we have traveled on a ridge-road from which the sur- 
face descends on the left to the Chickahominy, and on the right 
to the Pamunky. It has been the thoroughfare of Peninsular 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 5 1 



travel, and every rod of it is classic. Here were the battle-fields 
of the early Indian wars. Along it was the hunting-ground of 
Powhatan ; John Smith traveled it and built beside it his stone 
house of refuge should Jamestown fall. At West Point Opechan- 
canough, brother of Powhatan, lived and ruled, and Bacon occu- 
pied it in "Bacon's Rebellion." Every road and stream that 
crosses it has its memories of Revolutionary times 

Near Cumberland landing are a hundred descendants of the 
Pamunkies, who live on a reservation and support themselves by 
hunting and fishing, and making pottery and baskets. 

Our road has been intersected every few miles by others run- 
ning to the rivers, and by old deserted roads, cross-roads, and 
wood-roads, in whose wheel-worn courses we have seen trees stand- 
ing larger than a man's body. Below, on the Peninsula, the 
houses were made for shelter; here they have blinds, are plastered 
and painted, and resemble northern dwellings. Below, the pine- 
forest was gaining on civilization ; here the country looks old, in 
some places, exhausted and neglected. Many farms evince indus- 
try and prosperity ; a few are lapsing into barbarism. 

The sick of the regiment were increasing ; they walked behind it 
or rode in the ambulances. While at New Kent, three or four 
miles from Cumberland landing, we sent about fifty by boat to Bal- 
timore. Lieuts. Norton and Hollenbeck, Sergts. Wm. B. Rudd and 
Wm. H. Rogers, "worn out with fatigue, and sick with malarial 
fever," were among the number. From Williamsburg to the 
Chickahominy, ten days, the regiment has lost nearly one hundred 
men. Those who have neither health nor courage are obtaining 
the surgeon's excuse. The historian Rollin says that Agamemnon, 
by allowing his subjects to commute, filled his army with none but 
brave men. It is safe to say that the fighting material of the regi- 
ments nevei exceeded fifty per cent, of their aggregate, at com- 
mencement of service. 

The soldier reported sick is above all military authority. True, 
the commander-in-chief may change his hospital, or send him to 
the rear, or leave him without transportation or quarters, but he 
cannot, without violation of law, order him to duty. A person 
who has resolved to get away, begins first to prepare the public 
mind by finding fault with the service, the marching, the weather, 
and the " fare ;" he readily obtains permission to walk behind or 
to be put on light duty. Pursuing this course for a few days, he 



52 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



procures an order from the surgeon in charge of his corps to ride 
in an ambulance or to go to the hospital. The diseases most pre- 
valent, and, therefore, most frequently feigned, are diarrhoea and 
malarial fever ; rheumatism will not do. The old, the weak, and 
the young, are dropping out daily; none but the strong and reso- 
lute are keeping along. 

Behind the 98th a score or more of officers and men, " worn out 
with fatigue and sick with malaria," are just able tojceep up with 
the regiment and move. Poor fellows, they were so deathly sick 
that we felt our sympathy excited to see them go, "larding the 
lean earth as they walked along." 

• On the 19th our camp was at Rose Cottage, the residence of a 
lady, in many respects the most comfortable and pleasant farm we 
have seen. The fields, orchard, garden, barn, and stock, were not 
surpassed on the best farms in Wayne and Ontario counties. 

On the 20th, the division reconnoitres the ground more closely 
from the railroad, three or four miles down the river. The enemy 
appeared in force on the opposite bank, and shelled and fired at 
our skirmishers. 

The positions of the different corps enable us to map the Army 
of the Potomac and understand the mind of the commanding 
general. Keyes and Heintzelman are near Bottom's bridge, where 
the New Kent, or Williamsburg road, crosses the river. Porter's 
and Franklin's corps, for each now by permission of the President 
has a corps, occupy points higher up the stream, and, forming the 
right wing, demonstrate and draw the enemy's attention there. 
Sumner, near the centre, in the rear, takes such a position that he 
can readily support either the left or the right. Smith's division 
has been taken from Keyes to form the fifth corps for Franklin. 
We have now a left and a right wing; and, on the morning of the 
21st, the left wing moved, Casey's division in front, to within a 
mile of Bottom's bridge, along the Williamsburg road. The 
enemy had retired from the opposite bank, and the coast looked 
clear. During the afternoon a few light troops, cavalry and 
infantry, forded the stream; and, near sun-down, the 104th Penn- 
sylvania volunteers crossed on logs and planks which the engi- 
neers had thrown down preparatory to building the bridge. This 
was the first entire regiment that crossed the river. It advanced 
about a mile and remained all night on picket. 

On the morning of the 22d, the whole of Casey's division passed 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



53 



the river, walking on logs, planks, and the remains of the old 
bridge. By evening the bridge was ready for artillery and trains. 

During the day a portion of Couch's division made a reconnois- 
sance along the Williamsburg road. They reported the enemy in 
force about three miles distant and stopped. Gregg's cavalry from 
Pennsylvania was in this advance. 

On the 23d, Gen. McClellan directed Gen. Keyes " to advance, 
if possible, to the Seven Pines, on the direct road to Richmond, 
and to hold the point if practicable " Gen. Keyes selected Gen. 
Naglee for this duty. Naglee chose for this reconnoissance the 5 2d 
and 104th Pennsylvania volunteers of his own brigade, the 85th 
Pennsylvania, of Keim's brigade, and the 85th and 98th New 
York volunteers, of Palmer's. The movement was made on the 24th. 

Though the 4th corps has crossed the Chickahominy, it has left 
its baggage, rations, tents, and sick behind. The men have 
nothing but their arms and blankets, three days' rations and forty 
rounds of ammunition; their knapsacks and extra clothing are with 
the wagons. The officers have no tents, books, papers, or mess- 
chests : unencumbered, they are ready for a battle at a moment's 
notice. The 98th is duly informed that it is to take part in the 
reconnoissance to-morrow. 

We passed the afternoon inspecting the arms and provisions of 
the men, setting our house in order, and, at times, devoting a few 
thoughts to the amenities of modern civilization. The remark of 
the great Hippocrates comes often in mind with* a social application : 
" What medicine cannot cure, the knife may ; what the knife can- 
not accomplish must be burned out with fire." The manumission 
of the slave is a social problem which peace may not be able to 
solve ; and, every drop of blood drawn by the lash from the bonds- 
man's back shall be repaid tenfold in sacrifice from the slave hold- 
er's veins drawn by the sword. 

For breakfast, dinner and supper, our bill of fare was the same ; 
boiled rice and sugar, corned-beef, and hard bread and coffee. 
Near 3 p. m., while inspecting our company, Capt. Birdsall accost- 
ed us and said, showing his discharge for disability : " I am going 
home ; I wish I was able to stay with you ; but, if I remain a week 
longer, I shall die. Good-bye, and good fortune to you." 

The regiment left about thirty on the other bank of the stream 
in an old hotel and barn near by, which stood beside the road a 
mile from the bridge. 



54 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



The first collision of the two armies occurred on this day, the 
23d, at New Bridge, where the 4th Michigan cavalry crossed the 
river, captured a few Confederates, drove back the remainder, and 
held the position. On the same day, Stoneman and Franklin co- 
operating, encountered the enemy near Mechanicsville. He ap- 
peared in force with cavalry, infantry, and artillery. An irregular 
battle ensued with no decisive result. On the following morning, 
the 24th, the right wing advanced and drove the Confederates 
across the river. 

As the officers of the regiment are thinned out, our duties be- 
come more severe ; instead of being one in thirty, we are now one 
in ten. Health, strength and elasticity are essential to our Hercu- 
lean labors. Not one in a hundred of the officers commissioned, 
possesses the peculiar temperament, the mental qualities, the edu- 
cational training and the courage required for active campaigning 
and service. Patient perseverance secures the final triumph of the 
saints ; but the regimental officers in modern warfare must have 
the physical advantages and mental qualifications essential for the 
work. 

Before 9 p. m., of the 23d, we placed three rails from corner to 
corner in a rail-fence, folded our blanket upon these for a bed, lay 
down upon it, spread our double-cloth overcoat above us, 

" Consigned to heaven our cares and woes, 
And sank in undisturbed repose." 

By 8 a. m. of the 24th, we were on the way, marching up the 
Williamsburg road, "onto Richmond." Moving oat with the 
troops already mentioned, are Mink's and Regan's New York 
batteries and a portion of Gregg's cavalry. The 104th and 5 2d 
Pennsylvania volunteers take the lead ; the first with four com- 
panies deployed as skirmishers on the left of the road, the second, 
with four companies, as skirmishers on the right. Near Mile-run 
they encountered the enemy's pickets, and drove them back. 

At 10 a. m. a deserter informed us that the troops in our front 
were Hatton's brigade of five Tennessee regiments, two batteries of 
artillery, and a portion of Gen. Stuart's cavalry ; all under the com- 
mand of Stuart. 

It commenced to rain slow and fine. We approached the position 
of the enemy partly concealed by the woods. Naglee disposes his 
force. At the right of the road, in front of a deep wood, he 
placed the 98th ; Regan's battery unlimbered at its left in the road. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86T. 55 



A hundred rods in advance, on the left of the road, just behind a 
deep piece of timber, he stationed the six companies of the 104th 
Pennsylvania behind their skirmishers in the wood in front ; 
opposite these on the right hand side were the 5 2d Pennsylvania, 
with their skirmishers in front. The wood in front of these two 
regiments extends on both sides of the road, and is from a fourth 
to half a mile deep. In the farther edge the enemy was concealed. 
The 85th Pennsylvania volunteers is at our right, before Savage's 
station ; the 85th New York is on the left of the road, a few hun- 
dred yards behind the 104th. Mink's battery is in rear of the 
104th. The cavalry is on the flanks. Thus has Naglee very skill- 
fully disposed his little force ; himself with his staff and a half 
dozen of the cavalry is everywhere present. The ground descended 
before us, and, from our position, the troops were all in view. 

The prologue has now been spoken ; it is time for the play to 
begin ; the voluntary has now been played and the dancers have 
taken their places. Said Naglee to Captain Johnston, his adjutant- 
general, who obtained his shoulder-straps for meritorious services 
at Bull-run ; and who, weighing about two hundred, with a sinister, 
hang-dog look and a careless, go-easy manner, rides a large, strong 
bay horse and makes the best time of all over the wet clay-fields : 
"Johnston, tell Colonels Davis and Dodge to advance and move 
on with the skirmish line." Johnston obeyed and the line movid 
forward. 

The enemy at once opened with his cannon, and turned them 
upon the 98th and Regan's battery. For more than twenty 
minutes he concentrated upon us his heaviest fire. Shells whistled, 
whizzed, whirred, and whirled before, behind and over us They 
exploded in the air above us ; and the fragments flew about our 
heads, leaving the least possible windage. The heel of one fell 
before the writer, and, spinning around like a saucer on a table, 
glanced away to the left. Many were hit and hurt ; many hair- 
breadth escapes occurred ; but one man only was killed. 

On the right of the road, our advance drove the enemy from a 
grain-field, an orchard and some farm buildings ; on the left, they 
entered the wood, and we could mark their progress by the reced- 
ing sound of the rifles. When the skirmishers cleared the wood, 
they perceived the enemy's line of battle formed a short distance 
beyond, extending on both sides of the Williamsburg road and 
three fourths of a mile from Seven Pines. 



56 [notes and observations made during 

Naglee immediately ordered the advance of his whole line ; and, 
while the shells were bursting thickest around us, the 98th was 
ordered forward. Marching by the front it performed the move- 
ment in such a manner as to receive that General's praise. Colonel 
Dutton said on the field of battle, in presence of the officers and 
men, that the commendation given to the regiment belonged to 
company F. But promotion, rank and standing were as seldom 
rewarded and as little regarded in the volunteer service as are 
worth and merit in the caucuses and conventions of the country. 
Napoleon and other great captains, it is said, made their promo- 
tions from the battle-field ; ours were made at the capitals of the 
different states. The sneak, the coward, the man who concealed 
himself among the ambulances, the hospitals, and the baggage- 
trains, four times out of five, was advanced before him who coura- 
geously and intelligently stood at his post and performed his duty. 
For similar instances, the reader will turn to the history of the 
nations in the decline of their vigor and military power. 

The battery which played upon the 98th was nearly a mile and 
a half away. The shells were thrown over a corner of the wood, 
and their range was ascertained by a chain of signals. A Con- 
federate soldier stood behind a pine tree near the road and signaled 
to the battery with his hat, now high, now low, now right, now 
left, when a sergeant in Regan's battery trained one of his three 
inch rifles at him and brought him down at the first aim. 

Capt. Regan directed his guns upon the battery that shelled us, 
and information from the skirmish line enabled him to correct his 
range. 

With the advance of our line, our batteries took new positions 
within a few hundred yards of the enemy, and, pouring into him 
a few well-directed rounds, threw him into confusion and compelled 
him to retire from the field. The explosion of a caisson in one of the 
enemy's batteries seemed to demoralize him more than the effect 
of our fire. The men near it, in the supporting regiment, scat- 
tered and ran, in the language of Capt. Johnson, " as if the devil 
was after them." 

By 3 p. m. we were on the enemy's ground ; and Naglee re- 
ceived an order from Keyes not to pursue, " lest he should bring 
on a general engagement." Keyes had advanced to the Seven 
Pines, on the direct road to Richmond, and therefore complied 
with the order of McClellan. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE TN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 57 

We encamped near the further edge of the wood which we had 
captured, procured excellent water from a well near an old farm- 
house, and sent a detail back to our morning camp for blankets 
and food. It had rained slowly nearly all day ; and exposure, 
fatigue, and jexcitement rendered us all well nigh unfit for duty. 

We built large fires under the shelter of the pines ; and, sitting 
on logs with our arms in our hands, talked the battle over. Naglee 
lost two horses. Several men changed their positions, or moved 
their heads just in time to save their lives. One had his mouth 
and eyes filled with mud ; another was all splashed over with water 
by the explosion of a shell. One heard a shell coming and was 
particularly anxious to know where it would light ; another saw 
one cut the tops of two or three trees in range before him. The 
men asserted that the enemy used a variety of missiles on this occa- 
sion ; such as iron wedges, horse-shoes, boat-spikes and mill-files. 
Several smelt the brimstone breath of a shell breathe upon them as 
it hurried by their heads. This was our first day under fire. The 
Nationals lost twenty-three killed and wounded. 

On the morning of the 26th, we advanced to Seven Pines, and 
encamped among those immortal trees. The name was given to a 
tavern which stood among seven pines, near the intersection of the 
Nine-mile and Williamsburg roads. 

We are at the front all the time, and our duty is severe and con- 
stant ; still we find leisure to make observations and write up our 
note-book. 

The Chickahominy, which we have now passed, is a slow, 
swampy, miry stream, with low, irregular banks. In places the 
country is cleared to its shores for grass or grain-land ; in others it 
is bordered by deep, impenetrable, marshy forests. The channel, 
along which our operations have been confined, is from four to ten 
rods wide, and the water, like a canal, neither falls nor flows. Its 
shores are so low that a little rain increases its surface, rather than 
its force or depth. The three or four bridges terminate in mud at 
each end, and never deserved the name ; they were made of poles 
and logs with a few planks. The river has several low, wide-bot- 
tomed, swamp-like affluents, of which the most considerable are 
the White Oak swamp creek, which rises near Richmond and the 
James and flows along our left flank ; and the Beaver Dam creek 
which runs along our right flank from the north, and about which 
Porter and Franklin are operating. Between these, a distance of 



58 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



twelve miles, are some half dozen minor tributaries, as the little 
Beaver Dam creek, the Bear swamp and Goodly Hole swamp. 
The whole land around us bears the plainest evidences of its 
aqueous or fluviatile origin. From Fortress Monroe we have not 
seen a stone or particle of gravel ; but fragments of sea shells every- 
where strew the ground. The bluffs at Yorktown are the highest 
land from the Chesapeake to Richmond. The tide on the James 
rises to Richmond, and on the crooked Pamunky it is felt ten 
miles above White house. From these facts the lay of the land 
and the flow of the rivers may be readily inferred. 

The York river railroad bridge which we saw burning on the 
19th, is rebuilt on the corner of New Kent, Henrico, and Hanover 
counties. Hereafter the operations of the left wing are in Henrico, 
and those of the right wing in Hanover. 

The headquarters of General McClellan are on the New Bridge 
road, near the Little Beaver Dam creek, at Cold Harbor, in Han- 
over. 

Over the National army's field of operations, from Richmond 
northward, pass four old wagon roads; the Williamsburg, the 
New Bridge, the Mechanicsville and the Brook creek road. The 
Brook creek, a tributary of the Chickahominy, approaches, on the 
west of Richmond, within a few miles of the James. 

The Chickahominy divides the Army of the Potomac, at the 
crossing of the New Bridge road. Its line of communication and 
base of supplies are the York river railroad, White house, and the 
York river. Since the 10th of May, when Norfolk was evacuated, 
McClellan has been at liberty to change his base and line of com- 
munication to the James. The maxims of war do not sustain the 
present disposition of the army ; and, in the opinion of many ex- 
perts, the James was preferable to the York. McClellan preferred 
the James and acknowledged his error in dividing his army. 

Before crossing the Chickahominy it was our turn to go on 
picket in charge of fifty men of the 98th. It was on the night of 
the 20th, the day on which we had reconnoitred the river. 

The picket line passed from the Williamsburg road to the left 
within a hundred rods of the river, along the edge of a deep 
tangled, swampy wood, for a mile, thence it obliqued to the rear 
and covered the left flank for two or three miles. The lot fell to 
us to act as a reserve in the elbow of this line. The nearest camps 
in the rear were two miles distant ; the river was a mile and a half 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86r. 



59 



in front, the deep, timber-covered swamp intervening. This line 
curling back at the extreme left and right, is composed of an in- 
definite number of posts, and extends to Mechanicsville. Four men 
constitute a post, and the posts are four or five rods apart. All 
the gradations of rank from a brigadier-general down are on the 
detail. For twenty-four hours, the time of duty, this line is the 
eyes and ears of the army. Its most important order is to be vigi- 
lant, to hear and not be heard, to see and not be seen. 

We took the position assigned us by the division officer, 
numbered the men, divided the hours from 6 p. m. until 6 
a. m. into two hour intervals, and permitted a third to sleep at a 
time. 

We were, as a reserve, all together placed in the front edge of a 
wood ; at our right the open field extended indefinitely ; in our 
front, across the field thirty rods wide, was the deep swampy wood 
reaching to the river ; at our left, fifty rods, the wood in our rear 
and the wood in front united. All night long we kept awake, and 
the two-thirds on duty held their rifles in their hands. The air 
was still, and as the dew fell, became burdened with the odor of 
the pine and cedar. No sound was heard but the voice of the 
whippoorwill coming up from the marshes. Our position enabled 
us to overlook the field and the line of the woods. Intently watch- 
ing, anxiously waiting, how slowly pass the heavy hours on leaden 
wings away ! Hungry, weary, faint, O, for an hour of undisturbed 
repose ! 'Tis death to sleep. 

At 3 a. m., while all are sitting on the ground, Sergeant Sherman 
said : " What is that comes flying so low and heavy there, up from 
the front ?" We all look where he does, and see something flying 
towards us in the grey star-light with slow, heavy, difficult flight. 
His legs hang down a yard or more, and he moves his head from 
side to side reconnoitering his course. His wings are longer than 
the height'of the tallest man, and the slogan of his flight is terrible. 
Coming over us he turns deliberately to the left, and passing down 
the wood, disappears in the darkness. Angels and ministers of 
grace, defend us ! My hair stood on end, my voice adhered to my 
jaws, and a cold tremor seized my limbs. " What was it," we all 
at once exclaim ? Was it a bird or a man with a flying machine ? 
Was the fable of the roc in Sinbad the Sailor realized ? Was it a 
pterodactyl of primeval geological ages ? I could have reached 
him with my sword, but I was glad afterwards that I did not when 



f>0 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

I remembered the fate of the Ancient Mariner who, with his cross- 
bow, killed the albatross. 

Thing of darkness and terror, omen of good or of evil, bird 
or devil, where did he come from, and whither did he go? Was 
it the genius of the Chickahominy ? What had he to do with us, 
making night hideous? 

After we could breathe, said one : " How his legs hung down !" 
" His neck was too long for an owl," said a second. A third: 
" How he wabbled as he flew away !" • " And I thought it was the 
devil come for one of us sure," said Patrick Mannix. 

We have had an interval of fine and favorable weather. None 
of those drenching rains have fallen since we left Williamsburg. 
Marching, building roads and bridges are not so unpleasant. The 
country, though level for miles, is sandy and the surface is becom- 
ing dry. So far Henrico is miserably poor, level and exhausted ; 
still, the county has more cleared land, better fields and dwellings 
and wears a more home-like aspect than the first four counties we 
have described. 

Below, all the carrying was done on two-wheeled, one-horse 
carts. No cultivator, drill, reaper and mower was in use. They 
could raise no hay as timothy and clover ; the ground had no soil 
except on the cleared swamp-land, where the red-top and some 
marsh-grass grew. Their stock, if the animals they kept may be 
so called, was subsisted on grain and corn-fodder. 

The domain of rural economy had never been invaded by the 
genius of modern agricultural mechanics. The " threshing instru- 
ment of iron," and "a new sharp threshing instrument having 
teeth," improvements mentioned by the prophets Amos and Isaiah, 
had not yet been introduced on the lower Peninsula. The thresh- 
ing floor of clay, the trampling of oxen and the flail of the thresher 
have in all our minds the most agreeable associations. They cor- 
respond with, and mark a social state of innocency and nature in- 
dicated by the use of the distaff, the spinning-wheel, and the loom. 
No figures and descriptions of the novelist and the poet, no brush 
of the painter colored, adorned or displayed the characters, no dis- 
tance lent its enchantment, the simple persons and primitive times 
were before us. True there were no hanging rocks, no murmuring 
brooks, no Arcadian vales, no piping shepherds ; but that social 
condition is marked and identified by the utensils and instruments 
of society, by the rude plow, the hoe, the sickle and the flail. The 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 6 1 

impressions made by those symbols lie deepest in our hearts ; for 
around them tradition, history and song have bound their pa- 
pyrus leaves written all over with golden allegories. Men used 
them when they studied the stars and founded the mythology of 
the heavens; when they established the zodiac, in the infancy of 
society, and the twilight of the gods. 

Had not African slavery existed here, had the people used them- 
selves the rude instruments which we saw, no doubt, whatever, the 
cause of war, they never would have cherished and felt towards the 
North such intense bitterness and rancorous malignity. 



62 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER VI. 



Henrico County — Couch and Casey, Naglee, Hooker — Casey's Division and its position at Fair 
Oaks — A night on picket— Gen. Kearney — Gen. Casey's Headquarters — The oblique and 
parallel Orders of Battle— Col. Dutton sent to Hospital— The sick— A model Tent — The 
Storm of the 20th May — Our Location growing warm — Two Shells open the Ball at Fair Oaks 
— The Position of the 98th and the 104th Pennsylvania — The Charge along the Williamsburg 
road— The Battle — The 98th falls back— An Aide from Gen. Casey— Hand-to-hand Conflicts 
— Generals Couch and Heintzelman— The Division at Savage's Station — It supports Hooker, 
June 1st— It goes to White Oak Swamp, June 4th — Alfred Courtright's Story — Casey's fare- 
well — Gen. Peck in Command — The Author revisits the Battle-field in 1865. 

PT ENRICO COUNTY is bounded on the north by the Chicka- 
X hominy, and on the south by the James. Excepting along 
the banks of these rivers, the soil is light and unproductive. The 
surface is level or sloping, but seldom undulating, and often ter- 
minates in rough precipices on the river-bottoms. The constant 
cultivation of tobacco has exhausted the alkali from the ground. 
On the worn-out lands of the lower Peninsula nothing grows so 
well as the pine ; here a species of oak, called fair oak, crowds out 
the pine, or struggles together with it on the old tobacco lands. 
Richmond, for many years before the war, was the centre, if not 
the home, of the " Tobacco Aristocracy," of all that better sort of 
people who organized and set on foot the rebellion. 

The second brigade of the division has for some time been com 
manded by Gen. Wessel, a captain in the regular army. Gen- 
Keim grew sick with malarial fever, went north and died. Gen. I. 
N. Palmer, who commands our brigade, the third, is also of the 
regular army. He is assuming, airy, stands on deportment and 
rank, but has no desire nor reputation for fighting. Wessel is plain 
in his attire, wears his captain's coat, is accessible if not social. 
Neither of them has the dash, prowess, executive ability and per- 
sonal magnetism of Naglee, who commands the first brigade. After 
Casey, the men have most confidence in Naglee. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



63 



Much is said of the strife between Casey and Couch, the two 
division commanders of the 4th corps, to keep the lead. To-day, 
Couch is ahead ; to-morrow, Casey. Casey crossed the river first 
on the 2 2d ; on the same day, Couch made the first reconnoissance, 
though unsuccessful. Then, Naglee, on the 23d, moved along the 
White Oak swamp to within two miles of the James below Rich- 
mond. Again, on the 24th, as we related in the last chapter, 
Naglee drove Stuart and Hatton beyond the Seven Pines. 
Couch's troops do not get in front again. 

Without doubt, Gen. Casey was the most competent commander 
in the 4th corps ; and for a dash, for a charge, to handle a brigade, 
that corps had no officer who surpassed Naglee. Naglee was iras- 
cible, discourteous, often petulant and quarrelsome, " haughty and 
sour to those who loved him not." Gen. Sickles and he were 
brigade commanders under Hooker. In a meeting of officers, 
Naglee declared to Hooker that he would not act with, nor asso- 
ciate with, a murderer. Heintzelman thereupon relieved him from 
duty with his corps ; and McClellan ordered him to report to 
Keyes, who assigned him to the command of Casey's first brigade. 
He was a graduate of West Point, and a civilian, living in San 
Francisco when the war began. 

The men admired him, and had the greatest confidence in him • 
but he had few friends among the officers of rank ; because he was 
so uncharitable and unreserved in his animadversions. He had the 
courage, the dash, the command, perhaps the ability, but not the 
travel, the personal amenities and suaviter of Kearney. He sur- 
passed Hooker in all the qualifications of a soldier ; but Hooker 
was a courtier, backed by powerful political friends. Hooker was 
flattering and panegyrical ; Naglee was censorious and acrimonious. 
The first courted, the other challenged ; the first became com- 
mander of the Army of the Potomac, the other never received pro- 
motion. 

While at Seven Pines, the first brigade was on the right of the 
Williamsburg road, and the remaining two on the left. Fair Oaks 
farm-house is a fourth of a mile directly beyond on the left of the 
road; and Fair Oaks station is about half of a mile to the right on 
the York river railroad, the two roads running nearly parallel past 
our camps. 

Our statement as to the reconnoissance to Seven Pines, and the 
occupation of that point, differs from Greeley, who relates that 



6 4 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Couch made that important advance; our account differs still fur- 
ther from that given in his " American Conflict." On page 143, 
vol. II., he represents Casey's division entirely on the right of the 
Williamsburg road, with its left on that road, and its right a little 
ia advance of Fair Oaks station, where the York river railroad 
crosses the Nine-mile road. Our first brigade alone covered that 
part of the front : Wessel's right touched Naglee's left on the Wil- 
liamsburg road ; Palmer's right joined Wessel's left, and Palmer's 
extended nearly to the White Oak swamp. The brigades occu- 
pied those positions from the 29th to the 31st of May. 

We had no tents ; our arms were stacked, and day and night the 
men kept on their equipments, sitting, standing, and lying among 
their arms. The pickets of the two armies were in close proximity; 
firing was constant, and casualties frequent. A few brass Napo- 
leons were stationed in the main-road, and Couch's division, paral- 
lel with Casey's, lay behind. 

The regiments furnished heavy details for felling timber, making 
breastworks, building a road to the Grape-vine bridge, six miles 
above Bottom's, and for picket. Every day we took a few prison- 
ers, and a few deserters came to our lines. Rain fell nearly every 
day, and the rifle-pits and breastworks were muddy and wet. 

During the whole night of the 27th our pickets heard the rumb- 
ling of wagons and artillery carriages, and the shoutings of the 
captains. The enemy was then, probably, bringing up the troops 
which fought us on the 31st. One day, with a large force, he ap- 
proached our line, looked in upon us and retired. On the 29th 
our breastworks, redoubt, and slashing being in a fair state of pro- 
gress, Casey's division advanced to Fair Oaks, and Couch took 
his position at the Seven Pines. 

Before Fair Oaks farm-house, at the left of the road, Casey built 
a redoubt and skirted it on each side with a breastwork which ter- 
minated in scattered rifle-pits. In the redoubt he placed Spratt's 
battery, consisting of four ten-pounder rifled-Parrotts, iron guns. 
Regan's and Fitch's batteries were behind the breastworks. Before 
these, looking towards Richmond, for half a mile, the ground 
was cleared or the timber felled. Casey's headquarters were in the 
farm-house behind the fort ; and Wessel's brigade was in the fort 
and behind the breastworks and in the rifle-pits at the left of the 
road. Casey's line of battle was not perpendicular, but oblique, to 
the Williamsburg road. Naglee was advanced, Palmer retired, 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



65 



and Wessel between. The military criticism on the position of the 
division is that Naglee was salient, too far advanced ; because the 
enemy approaching along the Nine-mile road could attack him in 
flank and rear. 

At the left of Wessel, in the front edge of a wood, a little 
retired, with a cleared field in front, lay the regiments of Palmer's 
brigade, extending to the skirts of the White Oak swamp The 
camp of the 98th was in the front edge of this wood, ten or fifteen 
rods behind, and connecjrfn'g with the extreme left of Wessel's. 
This wood was twenty rods deep ; an old fence in its rear sepa- 
rated it from a swampy thicket, sixty to eighty rods wide, behind 
which lay some of the troops of Couch. To the left of Palmer and 
retired, was Peck's brigade of Couch's division, extending to the 
White Oak swamp. This disposition of troops from Naglee to 
Palmer is sometimes called by military writers en echelon,Y\kQ steps. 
On the right- of the main road, a trifle salient with Wessel's, was 
Naglee's brigade, extending to Fair Oaks station. In rear of 
Naglee's right, along the Nine-mile road, was Abercrombie's bri- 
gade of Couch's division. Naglee had one regiment across the 
railroad, and Abercrombie had two and one battery. Couch's 
centre was held by Gen. Devin's brigade. From Abercrombie's 
right to Savage's station, along the railroad, no troops were in 
position. Naglee's and Abercrombie's right flanks were unpro- 
tected. Kearney lay at Savage's station, and Sumner, on the 
day of battle, crossing at Grape-vine bridge, came upon the Con- 
federates when they were carrying everything before them on this 
flank. 

Behind Peck, six miles, at the crossing of the White Oak swamp, 
lay Hooker's division ; Heintzelman's corps (3d) therefore pro- 
tected the flanks of Keyes. 

The positions given above for the troops, south of the river, 
from the 29th to the 31st, we believe are correct. Of the officers on 
duty with them, the highest in rank was Gen. Heintzelman, a 
thin, nervous, thick-bearded man, with a wrinkled forehead, who, 
we think, was deficient in sagacity and executive force, and en- 
tirely unable to seize the opportunities which fortune presented. 

McClellan and the historians, Lossing and Greeley, write that 
Palmer's brigade was behind Wessel's in reserve. Our statement 
differs from theirs in the particular that we place the 3d brigade in 
the front and at the left of Wessel's. McClellan says that Casey's 
5 



6$ . NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

division lay on the right of the Williamsburg road, and "at right 
angles to it." We assert that it lay obliquely across that road. 
Casey's division was not encamped, as Greeley says, about the sta- 
tion known as Fair Oaks, but rather about a farm-house on the 
Williamsburg road, and one-half mile to the left of the station. 

It is easy to pick up the historians on several very important 
points. Casey's division was outnumbered, but not surprised. The 
attack was made in the daytime. Casey's pickets gave notice of 
the enemy's approach ; all the notice that Casey could expect. 
Wessel's brigade alone was in and about the redoubt made by 
Casey at Fair Oaks farm-house, on the left side of the Williams- 
burg road, and just in front of his own headquarters. Greeley 
says that at the commencement of the battle Casey sent forward 
Spratt's battery to check the advance of the enemy, and ordered 
up Gen. Naglee's infantry brigade to support it. The battery was 
ordered forward, and the 104th Pennsylvania volunteers alone was 
ordered "to its support." The same historian says that Col. 
Davis, 104th Pennsylvania volunteers, fell. Col. Davis was slightly 
wounded in the wrist. Col. Davis, in his " History of the 104th 
Pennsylvania volunteers," is generally correct ; but he falls into 
an error when he writes that Palmer's brigade was in the rear of 
Wessel's in reserve. 

The picket line of the 4th corps was from three-fourths of a 
mile to a mile in front of the troops, and extended from the White 
Oak swamp on the left, to the Chickahominy, beyond the Grape- 
vine bridge, on the right. 

.On the evening of the 29th, the writer went on picket in charge 
of the detail from the third brigade, consisting of above two hun- 
dred men. Our position began at the Williamsburg road and ex- 
tended towards the right. The line ran thence along the further 
edge of the wood in front of our camps. A field beyond, fifty or 
sixty rods wide, lay between us and the enemy's pickets. 

We visited the posts of our detail every three hours during our 
tour. The enemy's wagons, artillery and cars were running all 
night. The line was approached at different times and places by 
his scouts. At our right an aide-de-camp of Gen. Johnston acci- 
dentally lost his way and walked within our lines. The division 
officer of the picket sent him to headquarters within the redoubt. 
A staff officer of the enemy's commander-in chief found within our 
lines was an anomalous circumstance. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 67 

The early part of the night was dark and rainy; during the 
latter part it ceased to rain, and the moon shone bright and clear at 
intervals through the broken clouds. Not far from 3 A. m. while 
we were standing by the post next the main road, the picket on duty 
remarked that he thought he saw something moving fifteen or 
twenty rods over in the field in front. Three or four of us looked 
where he pointed, and saw, when the clouds permitted, what might 
be the end of a log, a stump, a bush, or a man. For five or six 
minutes all watched the object intently. It neither moved nor 
stirred. A cloud then obscured the moon, and darkness enveloped 
the field. After another interval the cloud floated away, and the 
subject of observation had changed its position and appeared 
nearer. To fire might alarm the line and cause the whole division 
to take arms. After another interval of darkness, the object was 
not more than eight or ten rods away. 

The sergeant in charge of the cavalry vidette said he was sure that 
it was a man, and begged us to allow him to try his Spencerian car- 
bine upon him. We, hesitating, consented. The sergeant 
brought his carbine to a ready, tried to take aim, wiped his eyes, 
and tried again. Waiting for a brighter interval he brought his 
carbine to his shoulder ; for a moment the queen of the night 
seemed to reign supreme and shine like the sun. He was able to 
draw a bead, as by daylight, and fired. 

The subject of observation, the man, set up a fearful howl and 
yell. He arose and stood up with difficulty. " Come in, or we'll 
fire again," said the sergeant. 

He was severely but not dangerously wounded in the hip, was a 
North Carolinian, and, as the hunters say, weighed about two 
hundred pounds. He scolded and swore vehemently at the 
Yankees, because they came down there to fight those who had 
never injured them. 

He was a scout, carried no arms, and was approaching our line 
in the method of a scout. Had the night been dark he would 
have made better time. 

In the morning we met Gen. Kearney at the post on the 
Williamsburg road. He rode a white horse, had but one arm, 
and, in complexion, was almost an albino. He wore an officer's 
undress or flannel coat, with a brigadier-general's shoulder-straps, 
and appeared and talked without parade or flourish. We noticed 
on his coat-breast, suspended by a red and blue ribbon,^ the star of 



68 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



the Legion of Honor, presented after Solferino and Magenta, by 
the Emperor of the French. While conversing with him, a bullet, 
fired over one hundred rods, down a long open ditch, by the ene- 
my's picket, passed between his stirrup and his horse, on the side 
where we were standing. Said Kearney : " The bushes are thin- 
ner and lower along that ditch. I guess that was meant for me." 
He soon after wheeled his horse around and went away. 

Every indication pointed to a battle at no distant day ; the starT- 
ofncer, the scout, the balloors, and our pickets asserted the con- 
centration of troops in our front. 

Casey made every effort to give whomsoever came a warm and 
satisfactory reception. He cut down and tangled up the wood be- 
fore us. He made abatis for the redoubt and breastworks ; and 
filled up the Williamsburg road with logs and brush. That he 
might better superintend the work, his headquarters were, at first, 
in an old house between his pickets and line of battle. Keyes 
ordered him back. He then selected Fair Oaks farm-house, near 
the redoubt, just behind his front line ; and, out and in from 
there, a dozen times a day, that iron-gray racking horse, through 
mud and mire, went sweeping like the wind. 

Tacticians say that the great battles of the world have been 
fought in one or the other of two orders, viz : the oblique and 
parallel. The parallel order is observed when the whole line or 
front of an army moves to the attack at once, and when the bat- 
tle opens, generally, upon all points at the same time. 

For exemplifications of this method of beginning and conducting 
battles, we have only to read the campaigns of Turenne and Conde, 
Prince Eugene and Marlborough. They rarely held a part of a 
line in position during the attack of another. Their battle-grounds 
were open fields. They sought accidents of ground only for the 
establishment of lines of defence. Marches and manoeuvres were 
made in masses and heavy columns; the infantry, cavalry, and 
artillery separately. The importance of echelons was unknown, 
and combinations for the oblique attack were seldom made. The 
active genius, the living courage, the free will of Frederick the 
Great broke up the formalism of those great captains and restored 
the art of war as practiced by Caesar, Hannibal, and Alexander. 

In the American Revolutionary war, the oblique order, on ac- 
count of the difficulties of a wooded country, plays the principal 
part. They fought in less ranks and thinner lines ; the skill of 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 69 

marksmen became of more consequence, and the true system of 
light infantry or rifle tactics dates from that period. 

The combinations and manoeuvres of Napoleon were always in 
the oblique order and are among the most brilliant of history. 

The battles of the late war were fought after these examples, 
and no combat was made in the parallel order. Johnston throws 
thirty thousand of his army on our left wing, and the battle ot 
Seven Pines and Fair Oaks is fought by it, while the right sits 
quietly in its tents. On the 27th of June the enemy began a simi- 
lar attack on our right flank, at Gaine's mill, which resulted in a 
disastrous change of base, wound up the Peninsular campaign, and 
•hanged the seat of war to the vicinity of Washington. 

On the morning of the 30th of May we were relieved from 
picket duty and returned to camp. While Courtright prepared 
our frugal meal, we made out our monthly report, wrote a few 
descriptive lists for sick men going to hospital, and drew and 
distributed clothing and cartridges. Twenty-three men, excused 
from duty by the surgeon, left that morning by rail for Whitehouse. 

The regiment numbered on that report five hundred and eighty- 
six men present with the division. Col. Dutton for some days had 
been unfit for duty, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Durkee in com- 
mand of the regiment. 

On the morning of the 31st we spread Col. Button's buffalo-skin 
in the bottom of an army wagon, and four of us carried him from 
his tent and laid him on it, and sent him to Savage's station. 
He reached New York city, and there, at the house of a friend, on 
the 4th of July, died of disease incurred in the line of duty. He 
was a brave, friendly, impulsive man ; a little too excitable for cool 
command, and more liable to be warped by personal attentions 
and preferences in making promotions, than is compatible with 
justice and the good of the public service. His personal character 
was without reproach; his failings leaned to virtue's side: nil de 
mortius nisi bonum. As much as if he had died on the field of 
battle he gave his life to his country. 

" 'Tis sweet for our country to die." 

The writer took charge of his personal effects, settled his busi- 
ness with the regiment, and accounted to Gen. Truman Seymore, 
his friend and class-mate, who represented Mrs. Dutton. 

It is not our purpose to write a history of the Peninsular cam- 



7° 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



paign, nor of Casey's division, but we are collecting a few notes 
of personal experience and observation taken on the spot. We 
sift from them matters of commonplace and personal interest, 
unless they are of service in describing a position or illustrating a 
group or scene, or are of significance to the members of the 98th. 

Alfred Courtright paraded our breakfast on the cover of a hard- 
bread box. It consisted of a cup of coffee, a cup of boiled rice, 
same hard bread and a few slices of pork, broiled on the coals of a 
fire near by. After directing him how to make our tent, we lay 
down on the ground and went to sleep. 

With his hatchet, Alfred procured four crotched sticks and drove 
them in the ground, two feet apart one way, six feet the other* 
On these he laid two poles lengthways. He obtained an empty 
rice-barrel at the commissary's, placed the staves crossways on the 
poles, and nailed them down with the nails taken from the hoops. 
These staves formed the bottom of the bed, which was two feet 
above the ground, and therefore would be dry in any storm less 
than a flood. Over the staves, on a pole supported by two tall 
forked sticks driven in the ground at each end of the bed, he 
stretched four pieces of shelter tenting, for cover, sides and ends, 
and tied them down at the corner stakes. This structure formed 
a model shelter for an officer in the line or field at that time and 
for long after. It stood quite alone on a little mound, and we left 
it standing for the enemy on the afternoon of the 31st. 

The night of the 30th will never be forgotten by the old Army 
of the Potomac, on account of the terrible storm that prevailed. 
The rain, the lightning, the thunder, were fearful. When the 
flashes permitted, the surface of the ground appeared like the sea. 
The water stood upon the ground like a lake, and no firmament 
appeared to divide the waters under the firmament from the waters 
which were above the firmament. 

" The wind blew as 'twold blawn its last ; 
The rattling showers rose on the blast ; 
The speedy gleams, the darkness swallowed ; 
Loud, deep, and lang the thunder bellowed ; 
That night, a child might understand, 
The deil had business on his hand." 

Though the rains descended and the floods came, and the winds 
blew and beat upon our little house, it. fell not. Our bed during 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 7 1 

the whole storm was as dry as a powder house. The storm in the 
heavens, the elemental war, foreboded the battle. 

On the morning of the 31st the sun shone bright and clear. The 
air was fresh and mild, odorous with flowers and blooming grain. 

In the fields, woods and around us, for square rods and even 
for square acres, the water stood from a few inches to a foot deep. 
By 10 a. m. the waters for the most part had subsided ; the ground, 
however, was wet all day, and in many places of the consistence of 
paste. 

The regiment sent out as usual its large details. The whole of 
company A went to work on the road near the Grape-vine bridge. 
Lieuts. Adams and Williams, with fifty men, were ordered to re- 
lieve the old picket. Details were made for men to make abatis 
and work on the breastworks. At 1 p. m., when the regiment went 
into battle, it numbered but three hundred and eighty men. Com- 
pany A left its rifles in camp and lost them. When it rejoined the 
regiment, on the 1st of June, it appeared like a company of pio- 
neers, or sappers and miners, carrying axes, shovels and picks. 

Our location is evidently becoming warm. Men with good 
nostrils are smelling the battle. The sick find a ready excuse and 
a way to the rear in an hour. Once on the cars at Savage's sta- 
tion the road is clear to any part of the Northern states. Surgeons, 
chaplains, field and line-officers, and privates maintain the unbroken 
stream from Whitehouse to Washington and New York. Only 
have a certificate from a surgeon, simply say you are sick, tie a 
handkerchief or piece of army bandage around your arm or head, 
and provost-marshals and quartermasters will allow you to pass and 
furnish you transportation to your home. To incur wounds or 
disability in the line of duty is glorious. Only be sick and you 
will be respected ; do your duty at the post and in the hour of 
danger, and be neglected or die unhonored, uncoffined and un- 
known. 

During the forenoon nothing unusual appears or occurs. A few 
sick are sent to the rear, among them the chaplain, Wm. C. Hub- 
bard. Major Albon Mann drew up what he called his " uncondi- 
tional resignation," which means an unconditional surrender, for- 
tified it by the surgeon's certificate of permanent disability, carried 
it himself to corps headquarters and started for home. It was 
accepted June 4th. The Government honored his discretion and 
resolution, and gave him a place in the. Banking Department of the 



72 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



United States Treasury. Subsequently he became a leading Repub- 
lican in New York city. 

While all was so busy and quiet with us, the enemy was plotting 
and working our ruin. Johnston, Longstreet, Hill, Huger and 
Gustavus W. Smith were moving towards our front with more than 
thirty thousand men. Longstreet and Hill along the Williams- 
burg road ; Huger up the Charles City road, on our left by the 
White Oak swamp; and Smith along the Nine-mile road, beyond 
the railroad, at our right. They were all arranged and ordered to 
concentrate on Casey's weak division. President Davis and other 
Confederate high officials, senators and members of his cabinet, 
came out to see the play. The rain had impaired the road, and it 
was 10 a. m. before the three divisions arrived and halted on their 
own picket line 

Gen. Hill looked in from there upon our camps and disposi- 
tions, rode to Johnston, and in the presence of Davis and others 
said, that, " in his opinion, it is impossible to drive the Nationals 
from their position to-day." Johnston replied: "You appear a 
little timid, General." Hill compressed his lips, glared at him 
defiantly and answered : " Timid I may be, General, but I hope not 
stupid." 

Near n a. m. the firing along portions of the picket line became 
frequent ; and Casey was informed that the enemy was massing 
large bodies of troops before his out-posts. 

A little later two shells sent by the foe went screaming high in 
air over our camps. These were the signals for the curtain to rise 
and the columns of attack to advance. 

Casey immediately ordered his division to drop its spades and 
axes and take the implements of war. Not long after 12 the bat- 
teries and regiments were under arms and in their designated 
places. Naglee's brigade at the right of the main road, Wessel's at 
the left in the redoubt and behind the breastworks, and Palmer's 
brigade stretched from the left of Wessel's along the front edge of 
a wood to near the White Oak swamp. The 98th was next to 
Wessel's ; but near 1 o'clock it was ordered to support the picket 
and moved by Gen. Naglee, under directions from Casey, and 
posted in front of the breastworks and redoubt some twenty rods 
behind a pile of cord-wood, with the slashing before it, through 
which the enemy was coming, and with the Williamsburg road 
about ten rods to its right. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 73 

To support a battery which was moved forward on a line with us, 
the 104th Pennsylvania volunteers was given a similar position on 
the right of the road. At the same time the 93d New York was 
taken from Palmer and assigned to Naglee for the day. 

Soon after 1 o'clock our pickets begin to come in sight, retiring 
through the woods and slashing before the enemy. The skirmish 
line of the enemy pursued them. We could see both parties jump- 
ing over the logs and making their way through the brush and 
bushes, and hear at intervals the sharp report of their rifles. 

A little later a dense mass of men, about two rods wide, headed 
by half a dozen horsemen, is seen marching toward us on the Wil- 
liamsburg road. They move in quick time, carry their arms on 
their shoulders, have flags, and banners, and drummers to beat the 
step. 

Our three batteries open simultaneously with all their power. 
Our regiment pours its volleys into the slashing and into the 
column as fast as it can load and fire. The 104th Pennsylvania 
volunteers aims at the column and at the skirmishers approaching 
its right-front and flank. Unlike us that regiment has no slashing 
in its front. The cleared field allowed the enemy to concentrate 
his fire upon it : too near the approaching column of attack it in- 
terfered with the range and efficiency of our batteries behind. Its 
position was unfortunate. As the light troops pressed upon it, Col. 
Davis ordered it to charge them at the double-quick. The regi- 
ment rushed forward with spirit, jumped over a rail-fence in its 
front, with a shout and yell ; but it was met so resolutely and with 
such a galling fire by the foe, that it fell back in disorder, and did 
not appear on the field as an organization again during the day. 
Col. Davis was wounded ; and his "Ringgold Regiment" fought its 
first battle as we have seen. 

The 104th falling back, cleared the field opposite the advancing 
column, and gave the 98th better opportunity to fire upon it as* it 
moved deliberately on. 

The charging mass staggers, stops, resumes its march again, 
breaks in two, fills up its gaps ; but sure and steady, with its flags 
and banners, it moves like the tramp of fate. Thinned, scattered, 
broken, it passes our right, and presses for the batteries. As it ad- 
vances and passes, we pour our volleys into it with no uncertain 
aim, no random fire. The gaps we make, the swaths we mow, can 
be seen in the column ; for we are only ten or fifteen rods away. 



74 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



The men behind press on those before. The head finally reaches 
the redoubt. One of the mounted leaders ascends the parapet and 
is shot with a pistol by an artillery officer. The whole column, 
from the fort back, severed, broken, staggers, sinks into the earth. 
The rifle-pits, breastworks, and the 98th have cleared the road. 

To this time the 98th has not lost a man by the enemy; but our 
batteries behind have killed and wounded of it half a score. There 
is a lull in the battle; the coast looks clear; the foe may not ap- 
pear again. We look at the main road; it is one gray swath of 
men. Down along the railroad by Fair Oaks station, we hear but a 
few reports. Smith has had farther to march along the Nine-mile 
road, and has not struck our right flank yet ; on our left Palmer 
has not been attacked ; Huger is not on time. Casey's division 
has driven back those of Longstreet and Hill. 

" In vain, alas in vain, ye gallant few, 
From rank to rank your vollied thunder flew." 

Where is Couch, and the divisions of Heintzelman? They are 
quietly waiting for the enemy in their own camps. Napoleon 
said: " Avail yourself of any success or advantage, and, taking 
the initiative, advance to meet the enemy." 

Those generals were regular army officers from the school at 
West Point ; yet every private in Casey's division knew that the 
golden moment of opportunity was passing, and believed that to 
win the battle the reinforcements must move up. It passed un- 
seized, and the day was lost. 

The Confederacy has massed its forces, and is throwing them 
upon our left wing. Why does not the right wing advance ? 
Whilst Casey is fighting against overwhelming numbers, why do 
Franklin and Porter sit idle in their tents ? In reply our attention 
will be called to the rain and the state of the roads ; but we shall 
search in vain for such excuses under similar circumstances in the 
histories of the campaigns of Frederick and Napoleon. 

Soon on our left, in from the Charles City road, the division of 
Huger comes pouring in, pressing on the 81st, 85th and 92d New 
York volunteers of Palmer, gaining well his rear ; suddenly, the 
Williamsburg road and the slashing are full of scatcered troops 
again. On our right, towards Fair Oaks station, Smith is engaging 
Naglee and Abercrombie. The roar of cannon and the rattle of 
rifles are incessant ; and the yells and shouts of charging regiments 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 75 

rise at intervals above the din of battle. Dire was the noise of 
conflict. We perceive the broken regiments of Naglee and Aber- 
crombie slowly driven back. It is nearl) 4 o'clock, and we rally 
round the flag. 

Our batteries open ; the air becomes full of lead and iron. High 
over our heads, around us, beside us, the lead is whistling, and the 
iron is whizzing, hissing, whirling. Every moment has a new 
terror, every instant a new horror. Oar men are falling fast. 
We leave the dead and the dying, and send the wounded to the 
rear. Palmer's regiments have all fallen back ; the enemy is on 
our left and rear. Col. Durkee tries to move the regiment by the 
left flank back to the rifle-pits : a part only receive the order. The 
enemy is getting so near, our experience in battle is so limited, 
our drill is so imperfect, that many of us will not, cannot, stand 
upon the order of our going. Durkee passes the rifle-pits with 
what follows him, and goes to our old camp. The writer rallies 
a part of the regiment around the flag at the half-deserted in- 
trenchments. There we use, officers and men, the sharp-shooter's 
practice against the enemy. We can mark the effect of our fire ; 
no rifle was discharged in vain. Many of the men could pick a 
squirrel from the tallest trees of Wayne and Franklin ; and they 
load and fire with infinite merriment and good-nature. 

We perceived Huger's second line of battle run across the field on 
our left towards the rear to engage the brigade of Peck, which lay 
beyond Palmer's. 

This advance of the enemy compels us to abandon our intrench- 
ments. We retire with our portion of the regiment to our camp and 
find it deserted. With the assistance of Lieuts. Adams, Williams, 
Stanton, Wood and others, we form a line of battle on our regi- 
mental color line, and wait the enemy there. 

It is after 4 o'clock ; Huger has driven Palmer upon Peck on 
our left, and Smith coming up the Nine-mile road has defeated 
and broken up Naglee' s brigade at Fair Oaks and pressed it back 
in disorder on Abercrombie of Couch's division. In our front the 
enemy's line of battle occupies the position, in the edge of the 
slashing, first taken by our regiment. All but a few of Wessel's 
men, who maintain a desultory fire, have left the redoubt and 
breastworks. When the 98th left its first position the batteries re- 
tired with what guns they were able to move. We have not seen 
Casey or any other general officer since 1 o'clock. He has been 



7 6 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



with Naglee at the right, and we have been fighting on our own 
hook, rallying round the flag. We have had no orders to fight or 
to retreat ; nor do we know otherwise than as we observe how the 
battle is going. 

Couch's division lays in its intrenchments behind us; and, out of 
range behind Couch, lays all of Heintzelman's corps. All is con- 
fusion. Hundreds of Casey's men are behind stumps, logs and 
trees, fighting single-handed with deliberate aim. 

The air above our heads is full of balls and screaming shells ; 
but few, however, come so low as to be effective ; for the battle is 
not on our centre but on our flanks. We have our regiment in 
line, nearly two hundred men ; and in the ranks are officers, file- 
closers, and privates. Ours is the only regiment of Casey's divi- 
sions that stands in line or assumes the form or shape of an organi- 
zation. Coming down the Nine-mile road wounded, from the field 
of his fame, fresh and gory, that General's careful eye observes us. 
He dispatches an aide de camp with orders to the 98th. The aide 
rushes over logs and brush, through mud and water, fast as his 
horse can run. Near our camp the animal, wounded, sinks to the 
ground, and the officer brings the order on foot. Approaching, 
he says: M Gen. Casey commands me to inform you that Gen. 
Heintzelman is just behind with five thousand troops, and that if 
you can hold the ground for fifteen or twenty minutes he will be 
here with reinforcements." All who hear him shout and yell: 
"Tell Casey we'll hold the ground." The echoing aisles of the 
deep wood ring. 

We soon after perceive the enemy marching by the flank, from 
the left towards our front, carrying the Confederate flag, the flag of 
the state of Georgia and that of the 81st N. Y. volunteers, which 
he had just captured. The men carried their rifles on their 
shoulder ; some wore the gray dress-coat of the Confederate 
service; others long white overcoats made of wool undyed. 

When opposite us the Georgia regiment halts and faces towards 
us, not more than fifteen rods away. " How bold they come out 
there ! They have got our flag. See, they must be our men," 
said several of our officers. Our battalion had but time to fire a 
few rounds at the Georgians in front, when another portion of the 
enemy approaching our left through the wood poured a volley 
upon us which cut every leaf and twig and bush just above our 
heads. We then faced the regiment about and directed it to pass 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 77 

the thicket and morass behind our camp and rally in the rear of 
Couch. 

The firing ceased again ; but a few shots still came to us from 
the left and front. Some fifty of the 98th were still on the ground 
unwilling to leave. To prevent their being killed or taken 
prisoners, the writer stayed behind and endeavored to collect them 
together, and have them go to the rear with him. Ten or fifteen 
went as far as the rail-fence which ran along the rear of the camp 
and stopped, unwilling to be driven from their camp ; unwilling to 
be beaten they were determined to see the battle out. Standing 
there, we again requested and commanded all those whom we still 
saw behind to follow. The enemy began to straggle in through 
the woods from the left. Here we witnessed several single-handed 
combats, hand-to-hand encounters between our men and those of 
the foe who ventured from their organizations, either as skirmishers 
or plunderers, upon our ground. We recall a few ; the reader will 
search authentic history in vain for their parallels. They remind 
us of the combats in Homer and " The Niebelungen Lied." 

Private French, of the 98th, was a stout, muscular, large-headed, 
heavy-cheeked, powerful-looking French Canadian of 35 years. 
He was bending over, engaged tying up a roll of blankets, when a 
middle-aged Confederate came within a few feet behind him, and 
discharged his rifle at him in such a way that the ball passed along 
his side, between his arms, and struck the ground and mud under 
his face. " Sacre Moi," said the Frenchman ; and rising, sprang 
upon him like a tiger, dashed him to the ground and stamped the 
life out of him with his heel. Corporal Davis of the color guard 
was importuning a few men to go to the rear, when a large Con- 
federate ran upon him and made a pass at him with his bayonet. 
The corporal's bayonet was in its scabbard, and he parried the 
thrust with his rifle. With perfect presence of mind and as quick 
as lightning, he seized the Confederate's bayonet in his left hand, 
and, taking his own rifle by the muzzle in his right, he gave his 
foe such a wipe with the breech that his blood and brains sprinkled 
the leaves and ground. 

As private Norton Spencer jumped over a fence his cap fell ofT ; 
he turned around to pick it up, when a ball struck his cartridge- 
box-belt plate and stretched him on the ground. He arose in a 
moment and accelerated his march to the rear. 

Corporal Albert C. Wells was conducting some privates to the 



78 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



fence, when a Confederate soldier stepped from the thicket and 
raised his gun to his shoulder to fire. Wells knocked the gun 
down, but not sufficiently far to escape an ugly wound in the leg. 

Francis Megan, a powerful son of Erin, over 40 years of age, 
met a private of a Virginia regiment, and the rifles of both were 
empty. They thrust, they parry, they club for a while, and all to 
no effect ; when Megan, throwing down his own rifle, rushes at 
the Confederate like a madman, and seizing him by the throat and 
collar, exclaims with an oath: "Will you surrender, now?" 
Megan drew him to the fence, the Confederate catching to 
every tree and brush as they passed. There a St. Regis Indian 
ended the contest by putting a bullet through the Virginian's 
head. 

Rody Higgins and Lebaff, privates, captured and brought to the 
fence an old Confederate sergeant from North Carolina, whom 
they desired to parol. The old man said he was a loyal man, that 
he always liked the old flag, and that if we would let him go, he 
would never bear arms again. 

While sitting on the fence, a Confederate soldier came from the 
thicket, stood boldly and bravely out within a rod before us, raised 
his gun to a ready and fell dead, pierced by a ball through the 
brain. Just at that time, a St. Regis Indian, lying under the 
fence, gave a terrific whoop and rose on his knees to reload. 

A little after 5 p. m. we collected the survivors of the regiment 
whom we could find behind Couch and marched a half mile farther 
to the rear, where we learned that Colonel Farnam, 96th N. Y. 
volunteers, then in command of the fragments of Casey's division, 
was collecting the regiments together. We reported to Mm soon 
after 7 p. m. Col. Farnam marched the battered and broken divi- 
sion, organized as well as could be, back to Savage's station, where it 
passed the night. Col. Durkee, with about twenty others, mostly 
officers, rejoined us in the morning. 

The 98th lost that day 85 enlisted men and three officers, killed 
and wounded, out of 385 taken into action. 

The battle of Fair Oaks ended about 5 p. m. of the 31st of May," 
and was fought on Casey's ground; the battle of the Seven Pines 
followed, and terminated between 9 and 10 o'clock, when Couch 
and his reinforcements were driven from his camps and intrench- 
ments. Couch waited for the enemy in his own position ; and the 
troops of Heintzelman and Sumner arrived too late to drive back 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 79 

from our morning camp the overwhelming force of the Con- 
federates. 

Couch's regiments were older, better drilled and disciplined than 
Casey's ; yet they did not fight as well nor so successfully. His 
flanks were better protected, his breastworks and rifle-pits were 
more secure; yet some of his regiments fled in disorder at the first 
fire of the enemy. 

The country owes, mainly, to the efforts of Sumner on our right, 
and Kearney on our left, for saving what we did save, for holding 
what we did hold and stopping the enemy where he stopped, on 
that sanguinary day. They outflanked the troops that enveloped 
Casey; they crowded the enemy in confusion upon himself, so that 
while our centre was pushed back our wings were victoriously 
strong. The dispositions of Sumner were prompt and masterly ; 
the personal efforts, the ubiquitous presence, the living sagacity 
and courage of Kearney, elicited the admiration and warmest com- 
mendation of every one who saw him. For coolness under fire, 
for skill and intuitive resources to meet an advancing foe, no 
marshal of the empire surpassed Philip Kearney. He wore worthi- 
ly, that evening, the star of the Legion of Honor. 

Sumner started late in the afternoon for the battle-field ; it was 
dark before Hooker arrived ; the result of the struggle was that the 
enemy occupied all the camps of Casey and Couch. Our total loss 
was 5,737, of which the two divisions of Keyes sustained 3,120, 
and Casey's division, then numbering between four and five thou- 
sand, sustained a loss of 1,700, or one-third of the entire casual- 
ties of that memorable day. In recognition of its services congress 
gave it a resolution of thanks; and D. H. Hill, the Confederate 
general, has said : " The division fought as well as I ever want to 
see men fight ; and after it gave way before our superior numbers, 
we had nothing more to fight." 

The 98th lost its camp equipage, its clothing not worn that day, 
its rations, and its regimental books and papers. It did not anti- 
cipate a retrograde movement, and therefore made but few preli- 
minary dispositions. The flags which it bore that day and which it 
rallied round, are now in the Bureau of Military Statistics at Albany. 
- Our camp for the night of Saturday, 31st, was in the same wood, 
and, a few rods at the right of the position we occupied when we 
supported the battery in the reconnoissance of the 24th. So we 
have been driven back and terribly punished for our temerity. 



80 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

Portions of most of Casey's regiments joined us during the night. 
But few of the men had their blankets and haversacks. Nearly 
all were without food or drink during the day. They built fires, 
and sitting on logs, or lying on the leaves, talked the battle over 
and the night away. To that day it was the greatest engagement 
which had occurred on the continent. Now and then, a squad of 
men or an officer joined us, and standing or seated among us, told 
their story of personal observations, their opinions and encounters, 
and the news they had. All agreed that if the enemy should re- 
new the attack in the morning with the same vigor, he could drive 
us into the Chickahominy. 

During the night the pickets fired constantly; and, at intervals, 
on different portions of the line, five hundred yards in front, the 
battle was renewed and died away. Our slumbers — if we slumber, 
are not sleep, but a continuance of enduring thought. Nervous 
with the shock of battle, the panorama of the day keeps passing 
through our mind, and its horrors drive away repose. 

After 3 a. m., June ist, Alfred Courtright came walking among 
us, slow and heavy, tottering along. He had rightly divined the 
signs of the times, and read Solomon to advantage, where he says : 
" A prudent man foreseeth the battle and hideth himself." Before 
the battle had well begun he packed up all of our " effects," and 
struck boldly out for the White Oak swamp. On that occasion he 
carried more than one hundred and fifty pounds. His own traps 
and accoutrements weighed over sixty ; our blankets, overcoat, 
books, black-leathern traveling bag, provisions, cooking utensils, 
and extra tenting would fall but little short of one hundred pounds. 
Alfred soon made some coffee, divided among the hungry officers 
our store, and, ^Enaeas-like, began the narrative of his adven- 
tures. He named a few generals (I. N. Palmer among them) and 
colonels, a score of officers of less rank, and whole squads of 
privates who had taken the same road to the swamp. He was 
several times surrounded by the enemy, owing to his ignorance of 
the roads, and was once taken prisoner. He told his guard that 
he was an officer's servant, a non-combatant, and, therefore, by the 
laws of war, could not be held. The guard paid high respect to 
Alfred's legal learning by allowing him to go. Alfred's creed was 
tinctured a little with Spiritualism ; and he said that the wood was 
full of friendly and hostile spirits ; that those who fought at Bunker 
Hill, and Monmouth, and Yorktown, came from their blest abodes, 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 8 1 

and, in airy conflict, contended for us again ; that Washington, 
and Putnam, and Franklin, were there; and, that, on the other side, 
were whole bands of Tories, Indians and cow-boys, headed by 
Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr, and John C. Calhoun. 

He related that he saw a man jump over a log fence after his 
head had been carried away by a cannon-ball ; that he saw another 
poor fellow hobbling along, holding in his hand one of his legs 
which hung by a ligament ; that a third, near whose face a shell 
had exploded, was walking about with both of his eye-balls on 
his cheeks ; that a fourth had the under part of his face and his 
lower jaw blown away ; that a fifth was walking towards the field 
hospital carrrying his bowels in his cap: and, that Col. De Forest, 
8ist N. Y. volunteers, who had a rifle-ball pierce his body within 
half an inch of his heart, walked to the rear, entered an ambulance, 
and rode to Savage's station. When Alfred unpacked his own 
blankets he found two minie balls in them ; and, another in his 
knapsack. "Well done," said the men standing round ; " Court- 
right, you are a trump. You retreated along the line of fire." 

About 6 a. rt.j June ist, the division was marched across . the 
Williamsburg road, then advanced half a mile to the farther edge 
of the wood through which Col. Davis skirmished, May 24th, and 
there placed behind a breastwork made by Couch while Casey was 
at Seven Pines. Before us was a field sixty rods wide, and which 
extended on the left to the White Oak swamp, and on the right, 
nearly to the York river railroad; at the farther side of the field, 
in the edge of another continuous wood, lay the troops of Hooker, 
forming our front line, and holding from the White Oak Swamp to 
the railroad. From 7 to 9 a. m., the enemy renewed the battle, 
but without success. His charges were repulsed; his right was 
pushed back} and he was finally driven from the field. 

The solid fighting of this day lasted about two hours ; the con- 
flict was not so sanguinary and general, nor was the loss so great. 
The Confederates retired during the day, and left, at night, in front 
of their picket line, the battle-field of Saturday. 

Monday, June 2d, we sent details to the battle-field, to bury 
the dead. During the day, our lines were re-established substan- 
tially as they were before the engagement. After 11 p. m., a pair 
of mules broke loose from their moorings, and ran obliquely down 
Casey's division from rear to front. As they went with a rush and 
clattered along; and, as the men rose with the greatest haste and 
6 



82 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



precipitation to get out of the way, or to ascertain what was tran- 
spiring, the noise made resembled not a little the charge of a regi- 
ment of cavalry. The excitement fell little short of a panic ; and, 
as fright and fear are contagious, the whole army south of the 
Chickahominy rose and stood to arms. The next day, Gen. Keyes 
had those regiments formed which were in the neighborhood of 
the " mule charge," and talked to them, scolded them, and called 
them "boys and women." 

The division remained in support of Hooker until the morning 
of the 4th, when it marched to his old camp in the rear, at the 
crossing of the White Oak swamp, a mile above its confluence 
with the Chickahominy. 

On the ioth, Gen. Casey was ordered to take command of the 
supplies and troops at White house; and Gen. John Peck, of Syra- 
cuse, New York, was assigned to the command of his old, broken 
and battered division. Subsequently, the first brigade was sent to 
Bottom's bridge; and the remaining brigades encamped at the 
crossing until the 29th, when the whole division marched to Har- 
rison's landing. 

Casey wrote a sad and affecting farewell. He said : " Posterity 
will do my division justice." But to those of it who fought for 
glory and promotion he fixed a long pay day. No one seemed to 
know that the dead men found on the battle-ground of his division 
told beyond the possibility of refutation the story of its deeds. 
No man that we ever heard of received any attention or promotion 
for his conduct that day ; it was to the division a bootless, thank- 
less service. 

Monday, June 2d, we visited the battle-field, and rode from 
place to place on the scene of conflict. We have often wished that 
we could efface from our memory the observations of that day. 
Details were burying the dead in trenches or heaping the ground 
upon them where they. lay. The air was sultry, moist and ex- 
tremely warm. Flies — a pest of flies — never swarmed so thick 
since the time when Beelzebub, the fly-god, drove them from Asia 
Minor. The decomposing bodies of men and horses polluted 
the air : Oh, their offense was rank, it smelled to heaven ! The 
ground was saturated with gore; the intrenchments, the slash- 
ing, the rifle-pits, the thicket, many of the tents, were filled 
with dead. In the Fair Oak farm-house, the dead, the dying, and 
the severely wounded lay together. Along the Williamsburg road, 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



83 



on each side of it, was one long Confederate grave. An old barn, 
near where the 104th Pennsylvania volunteers first formed, was 
filled with our dead and wounded ; and farther to the right, near 
the station, beside an old building, lay thirteen Michigan soldiers 
with their blankets over them and their names pinned on their 
caps. Near the railroad, by a log-house, the dead and wounded 
were packed together. Both were motionless ; but you could dis- 
tinguish them by the livid blackness of the dead. 

We could trace the path of our regiment, from the wood-pile 
around by the intrenchments to its camp, by the dead still un- 
buried. Those that died immediately could not be touched, but 
were covered with ground where they lay ; the wounded, who 
crawled or were carried to the barns, tents and houses, and who 
died subsequently, were buried in trenches. 

Our little tent was still standing, though pierced by several bul- 
lets. Beside it lay two dead men of the 98th whom we could not 
identify; for the sun, rain, and wind had changed their counte- 
nances. On the bed lay a dead Confederate. At the left of our 
camp, in the wood, where the 81st, 85th, and 926. New York vol- 
unteers and Peck's brigade fought with Huger, the dead were pro- 
miscuously mixed together, and lay in sickening and frightful 
proximity : strong and weak, old and young, officer and private, 
horse and man, — dead, or wounded in the agonies of death, lay 
where they fell, and furnished, excepting the swaths on the Wil- 
liamsburg road, the darkest corner on that day's panorama. 

One day in June, three years, subsequently, we revisited this 
battle-field. Our imagination restored the original scene and the 
actors in the play, and the battle went on before us again. The 
redoubt and the breastworks had not been leveled ; the sunken 
surface over the trenches and the low, narrow ridges showed where 
the dead were buried. No stones, no boards, no monument, 
marked who or how many had fallen on this national battle-ground. 
We saw the skull and the larger bones of the human body lying 
everywhere on the surface ; and, in the slashing, the thicket, and 
the wood, were many complete skeletons. 

The knot-grass fettered there the hand 
That once could burst an iron band. 

At the right of the railroad, near Fair Oaks station, on one of 
Mr. Garnet's fields, wheat was growing ; all the rest of the scene 



84 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



of conflict appeared as the contending armies left it, — fenceless, 
waste, and wild. A few weeks later, in July, 1865, Government 
burial parties, without parade or ceremony, collected the bones 
and buried them. Such honors the Republic to its dead soldiers 
paid. 

The laurel shoots when those have passed away, 

Once rivals for its crown, the brave, the free ; 
The rose is nourishing o'er beauty "s clay, 

The myrtle blows when love has ceased to be ; 
Green waves the bay when song and bard have fled, 
And all that round us blooms is blooming o'er the dead. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



85 



CHAPTER VII. 



The Crossings of the White Oak Swamp — Lee's Army — The Position of the National Army — 
The Camp of the 98th — Foraging — The Battle of Oak Grove — The Change of Base and the 
Seven Days' Battles — Interviews with Stragglers and Others— The Writer on Telegraph : 
Relieves his Detail— The Grand Park of the Army— A Night's March and the Mule 
Charge — A Panic — Gen. Peck — Muster for Pay — The View from Haxall's— Peck's Divi- 
sion, the Rear Guard — Marching — Jetsam et Flotsam — The Battle of Malvern from a Con- 
federate Point of View — We Arrive at Harrison's Landiug. 

A ROAD from Bottom's bridge crosses the White Oak swamp 
creek, a mile below its confluence with the Chickahominy, 
and thence running nearly south connects with the lower Peninsu- 
lar roads. About this crossing and along the two streams to the 
bridge are the camps of Casey's, now Peck's, division. 

At the crossing the swamp becomes narrower, being only about 
eight rods wide, and the shores are hard and dry. The stream 
itself is something less than four rods wide, fronrtwo to four feet 
deep, and flows not more than three miles an hour. Over what in 
past times had been a ford, our army constructed a bridge, and 
made the approaches to it, on each side, of logs covered with 
brush and dirt. Two wagons can cross at once ; and on the 
upper edge are two lines of railing, between which the infantry 
pass. Above this bridge four miles towards Richmond, near Glen- 
dalej is Brackett's ford, where the road leading from Seven Pines 
to the Charles City road crosses the swamp. At these two points, 
and no other, the Army of the Potomac, with its artillery and 
trains, can cross in its change of base to the James. 

On the 20th of June, McClellan reported the force of his com- 
mand at 156,838, of whom 115,102 were present fit for duty. 

Lee's army, for Gen. Robert E. Lee is in command of the Con- 
federate forces in Virginia, consisted at that time of 75,000 men ; 



86 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



and, on the 27th, Jackson's arrival increased the number to 
110,000. 

The Army of Northern Virginia, which confines its operations to 
the defence of Richmond, extends from White Oak swamp, on its 
right, to the Brook creek road, on its left. It has an unbroken 
front ; its base is Richmond ; and of its railroads, it never 
loses, during the campaign, any but the York river and the Vir- 
ginia Central. 

Of the Army of the Potomac, Porter's corps, consisting of 27,000 
men, was north of the Chickahominy from near the Grape-vine to 
the Meadow bridge. 

Mechanicsville, Gaine'smill and Beaver Dam creek were Porter's 
battle-fields with the troops of Lee and Jackson. 

South of the fatal river, connecting with Porter's left, was the 
corps of Franklin, which crossed on the 5th to the southern side. 

Consecutively to the left were Sumner's, Heintzelman's and 
Keyes' corps. Keyes' corps was at right-angles to the front, and 
stretched back along the White Oak swamp. The front line was 
covered by a continuous breastwork, with ditch and abatis. 

The camp of the 98th, at the ford of the White Oak swamp, was 
in an open pine grove ; the trees, eight to twelve inches through, 
were, generally, ten to twenty feet apart, and stood on an old corn 
or tobacco field. 

Our duty was light, and opportunity given to refit and recupe- 
rate. We spent the time on picket, watching the swamp, and 
lounging, sleeping and reading. 

We had a semi-circular picket line across the swamp, enveloping 
the ford ; and, on our side, up the stream, towards Brackett's ford, 
we had a series of posts which we called a telegraph. It kept an 
eye on the swamp and an ear towards what was transpiring at 
Seven Pines and the front. Our scouts and foragers occasionally 
went beyond our lines, and brought us corn-bread, milk, chickens 
and cheese. Alfred Courtright and Daniel Newton, privates in 
the 98th, understood the mystery and art of purveying. Across 
the swamp no army had ever foraged ; it was comparatively a rich 
country, a terra incognita, an unexplored region, as the geographers 
say. Alfred and Dan became familiar with its devious roads and 
pathless forests. Though they always bought and paid for what 
they brought to camp, still for them no roost was too high and no 
pig-pen too deeply concealed in the thicket. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 87 

We brought our baggage and surplus stores from Bottom's 
bridge, bathed in the wine-colored waters of the swamp, and with 
rest and quiet, knit up the raveled sleeve of care. 

On the 25th, Hooker and Kearney moved forward and fought 
the battle of Oak grove. McClellan's object was to ascertain the 
nature of the ground beyond Hooker's front, and both parties 
claimed a victory. No doubt McClellan intended this movement 
as preliminary to an advance of his whole army, which was pre- 
vented by the series of attacks commenced the next day by the 
enemy against his right wing, and which changed entirely the 
direction and nature of his operations. 

On the afternoon of the 26th, Porter fought with Longstreet and 
A. P. Hill the battle of Mechanicsville ; and, in this, the first of the 
Seven Days' battles, our forces were victorious. The approach of 
Jackson compelled Porter to retire during the night. On the 27th, 
his corps reinforced by Slocum's division of Sumner's corps, in all 
about 35,000 men, was attacked by 50,000 Confederates directed 
by Lee and Stonewall Jackson. 

In this, one of the severest battles of the war, the battle of 
Game's mill, Porter failed to hold the field and to bring off all his 
guns and wounded. 

On that day, McClellan decided to open communication with 
the James, and withdrew Porter to the southern side of the Chick- 
ahominy during the night. He broke up his base at White house, 
and directed the siege-artillery, the ambulance and supply-trains to 
proceed to the James by way of the White Oak swamp. 

During the 27th we heard plainly the firing of Porter's infantry 
and artillery, and that battle's diapason now high and clear came 
swelling, and now floated indistinct away. 

On the 28th, the road became filled with stragglers, sick and 
slightly wounded, coming from the battle-fields and the hospitals of 
the right. They belonged to every arm of the service, regulars 
and volunteers. We saw few officers among these stragglers ; few 
of them were wounded ; a great many of them were fugitives, 
cowards, whose regiments, they said, had been cut to pieces. Most 
of them were afoot ; some, however, rode cavalry, others artillery 
horses. They were guided by instinct and self-preservation, the 
supreme law of life. After eleven a. m. 2,500 beef-eattle passed. 

Headquarter teams, commissary trains, ambulances filled with 
the sick and wounded are passing at a rapid walk in two endless 



88 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



lines. About 4 p. m. the troops of Porter appear in sight. From 
our camp beside the road, until dark, we see them pass. Morell's, 
Sykes', McCall's divisions, dusty and begrimed, but few hours 
from their awful ordeal of fire, go marching worn and heavy 
by. All through that summer night we hear the sound of mov- 
ing troops and trains ; and, when the sun arose and we looked 
at the road, behold, it appeared as before, filled with troops and 
trains. On this day the armies skirmished, but fought no battle. 
The Confederates were north of the Chickahominy, and the 
Nationals south. 

In the morning of the 29th, Sumner and Franklin fought the 
battle of Allen's farm, and in the afternoon that of Savage's sta- 
tion. The enemy had crossed the river during the previous day, 
and, comprehending the design of McClellan, was in hot pursuit. 

During the morning, the 2d and 3d brigades of Peck's division 
crossed the swamp, and passing Porter's corps, which had halted 
on the farther bank, took the lead. 

The battle of Savage's station began late in the afternoon, and 
continued until 9 p. m., when the enemy was driven from the field. 
Our stores, sick and wounded at that place were abandoned, and 
Franklin's corps began to cross the swamp at 11 p. m. ; about the 
same time Sumner and Heintzelman crossed, four miles farther up 
the swamp, at Brackett's ford. On the morning of the 30th, those 
two corps had crossed, and Sumner ordered the obstruction of. the 
road. 

Franklin also has crossed the swamp, and with his own corps and 
Richardson's division of Sumner's and Naglee's brigade of Keyes' 
is directed to hold the bridge until the trains have passed. 

The enemy repulsed at Savage's station last evening, ascertained 
this morning that our forces had withdrawn from his front ; for, 
though all our troops had crossed before daylight, they left miles 
oi wagons, pontoons and ambulances yet behind. 

Nothing in the world can extemporize a panic, like a few mule- 
drivers and wagon-masters. Add to their own yelling, vociferating 
and shouting, the noise of the animals, the rattling and rumbling 
of the wagons, and you have all the material for a panic. On this 
day (the 30th) they knew that the troops had all passed, that the 
enemy was pressing behind, and that their safety depended on the 
speed they could make. Many of them acted like madmen, and 
whipped, raged, yelled, by turns. They broke from the column, 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 89 

ran the animals, overturned the wagons, cut the traces. We 
know not how unreasonable a man may be until we have seen him 
in a panic. 

All that summer day until 3 p. m. the road about the crossing 
was blocked with the army trains, and the selfishness, the weak- 
ness, the contemptibleness of humanity was on exhibition. At 
that hour, the presence of the enemy prevented from crossing over 
two hundred wagons. 

Franklin had over fifty pieces of artillery to command the bridge. 
Soon after 5 p. m,, the enemy massed and made repeated and des- 
perate efforts to force the passage. He approached the bridge 
several times in columns fourteen ranks deep, but in vain ; for 
under that concentrated fire of infantry and artillery no living 
thing could pass. After 6 p.m., the Confederates ceased their at- 
tempts, but kept up a cannonade on our troops until late in the 
evening. About midnight Franklin withdrew. 

On the morning of the 29th, it was the writer's duty to take 
charge of the detail from the 3d brigade for the telegraph, which, 
as we have said, extended on our side of the swamp to Brackett's 
ford. A major commanded the detail for the 2d brigade, and the 
whole line or telegraph was in charge of a lieutenant-colonel, for 
the division. 

Circumstances neither warranted nor demanded the telegraph 
that day. Near 10 a. m., the division marched away and left us 
behind. We could see their pickets relieved by Porter's, and the 
last vestige of them disappear in the afternoon, as they moved off 
down the Peninsula. A little later, the battle of Savage's station 
began. We heard our forces blowing up the magazines, ordnance 
stores, and supplies. We could not misunderstand the cause of the 
panic among the teams and trains. All the afternoon we could hear 
the battle; and, as night came on, we could see from the roof of a 
small house on the line, the flashes of rifles and artillery less than 
four miles away. 

We rode over to the road where the trains and troops were pass- 
ing in the most frightful haste ; and, stopping among other strag- 
glers, a captain from a New York regiment, asked him how matters 
were going on in the rear. He replied that the rear of our army 
was fighting with the enemy at Savage's station ; that his regiment 
was in the fight, but that when the enemy began to throw railroad 
iron, boat-spikes, log-chains, picks and crow-bars, he thought it 



90 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

was time to leave, and that he would not stand it any longer. We 
next accosted a lieutenant-colonel of a western regiment, with a 
red beard and fox-like face. He had a narrow bandage tied around 
his left arm above the elbow, and walked limping with a cane. We 
asked substantially the same question : what was going on at the 
front. He replied : " They are having a little skirmish at Sav- 
age's station, — nothing very serious. Our regiment is in it. We 
are changing base. That's all." Again we inquired of a quarter- 
master who was riding along with his teams, and said : How are 
they making it at the front? " Rather badly I should judge by 
the way these trains are going. They say we are only changing 
base, but it seems to me that we are getting whipped like the devil 
all the while. We have miles and miles of trains which all must 
cross here, and there is nothing between us and the enemy but a 
few divisions which have fought every day and marched every 
night since the 27th. This changing base may be all plain to mil- 
itary men ; but if we are doing it of our own accord and having 
everything our own way, I can't see why we should fight every 
evening and run away every night, leaving our stores and sick and 
wounded on the field. Strategy, I guess." 

A wounded officer in Mott's 3d New York battery, Franklin's 
corps, was the next tried by our formal interrogative. He replied : 
"I have just come from the front. That fighting now is by Sum- 
ner and Franklin, at Savage's station. They are the rear guard 
of our army to-day, and are fighting to gain time for the troops 
and trains to cross the swamp. The whole Confederate army is 
massing against them — Jackson and Magruder and all. But we 
are going to change our base to the James, and beat them from 
there. They have tried a dozen times to force our line along the 
railroad, above and below the Station, but Old Sumner was too 
much for them. During the night, Heintzelman, who is at Seven 
Pines, and Sumner will cross above at Brackett's, and Franklin 
here ; then let the enemy come on." 

We then returned to the middle of our telegraph, found the lieu- 
tenant-colonel and the major, and advised that the line be with- 
drawn and the details sent to their brigades and regiments. They 
replied that they were placed there on duty by an order, and that 
without an order they could not leave ; rather than desert their 
post they would become prisoners. 

We passed the night uneasy, anxious, without sleep, " thus con- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 9 1 

versing, thus sitting, thus in arms." On the morning of the 30th, 
nothing was in sight along the road but wagons, pontoon trains 
and ambulances; their drivers hurrying, shouting, yelling, and 
running the teams. Acres and acres of wagons were at the cross- 
ing waiting for their turn to pass. Every team crossed the stream 
at a gallop. Indications read plainly that we were the last troops 
on our side of the swamp. We again sought our superior, stated 
our opinion of the imminent danger of being captured, of the pre- 
sent uselessness of the telegraph, and asked to be relieved. He 
refused, and replied : " It is a bad example to set before the men. 
A soldier can do nothing worse than to leave his post of duty. 
Duty is his supreme law, and he can have no opinion. No doubt 
you are right, captain, in your views, but if you leave the line 
without orders you can be court-martialed and shot. Soldiers per- 
forming their duty afford the most brilliant instances in military 
history." " Granted," we rejoined, "and soldiers disobeying 
orders, leaving the post of duty, afford also the most brilliant epi- 
sodes in military history. Nothing that we have done upon this 
line will so become us as leaving it now. We have been forgotten, 
and our stay here is perfectly useless. If we relieve the men of our 
brigade do you forbid us and will you resist us? " "I forbid you 
to leave; but if you are resolved to go, I cannot prevent you," he 
replied. We directed our subordinates to relieve the men at once; 
and, as we mounted to go, said to the commander of the line : 
"When you get back from Richmond, colonel, when this change 
of base is over and we are both again in camp, we shall expect a 
comparison of notes and an interchange of sentiments." " When 
we get safe in camp again we'll have a reunion, rather," he pleas- 
antly remarked. 

We hurried away, passed the bridge in single file beside the 
teams. Looking back from the other side of the stream, we saw 
the major following with his detail. The lieutenant-colonel, find- 
ing it impossible to restrain his men after our departure, had given 
them permission to follow, and crossed himself alone about 10 a.m., 
while the engineers were destroying the bridge. 

We joined the regiment during the forenoon at the intersection 
of the New Market and Charles City roads. Later in the day we 
stopped for the night in the edge of an oak-wood, fronting a large 
open field in which were parked the headquarter teams, the wagons 
of the Medical, Ordnance, Commissary's and Quartermaster's 



9 2 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Departments of the Army of the Potomac. While lying there 
beside the road, Porter's corps, begrimed with dirt and gore, with 
its slightly sick and wounded, passed us, footing slow. It bore 
unmistakable signs of a fierce contest, of rough handling such as 
Casey's received at Fair Oaks. 

Southward from Richmond, three old roads diverge from the 
Williamsburg road ; the Charles City road, the Central road, and 
the New Market road. The Quaker road crosses these nearly per- 
pendicularly in its course from Savage's station, by Seven Pines, 
over Brackett's ford to Malvern Hill. Along this road Sumner and 
Heintzelman marched and fought the battle of Glendale, or Fra- 
zer's farm, near its intersection with the Central road, the Charles 
City road and a road leading from Long Bridge, on the Chicka- 
hominy, to Richmond. The Charles City and New Market roads 
unite at Malvern Hill, and, after passing, separate again, the first 
leading to Charles City court-house, the second, along the James 
to Harrison's landing. Besides these, there are various other 
roads, mere wagon tracks, through the woods and along the 
fields, leading over the country in every possible direction. None 
of these roads have bridges or fences. 

The distance from Fair Oaks to Malvern is fifteen miles, as made 
by Sumner over Brackett's ford ; from White Oak swamp bridge, 
our camp, to a point about one mile from the river, and as far 
below Malvern, the route taken by Keyes, the distance is twelve 
miles. Porter traveled in his change of base less than eighteen 
miles. 

From the 29th of June to the 1st of July, Keyes' corps took the 
advance. During all these days the weather was hot and stifling ; 
scarcely a breeze or breath stirred the suffocating air. The sleep- 
less, weary men threw away many of their surplus articles ; blan- 
kets, pieces of tents, overcoats and equipments, were scattered 
everywhere along the roads. The Army of the Potomac, now a 
vast caravan, changing ground for safer pasturage, better tenting 
and more water, marks its progress by the quantity of military 
stores which it leaves behind along its route. 

About 4 o'clock, p. m., of the 30th of June, we were two or three 
miles beyond and at the left of Glendale, and something more than 
four miles from the crossing of the swamp which the regiment had 
left the day before. At that time, Sumner and Heintzelman were 
fighting the battle of Frazier's farm, and Franklin was contesting 



I 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 93 

with Jackson the crossing of the White Oak swamp. Every volley 
was distinct ; the reports of the rifles were fearfully near and ter- 
ribly plain. Two momentous battles were going on at the same 
time behind us; and, at intervals, the firing made one continuous 
roar. The earth shook and trembled ; consternation seemed 
printed on every face. In many regiments a few men lost their 
senses. The noise of the contest ascended to heaven ; and, as the 
night came on, the battle seemed to approach us nearer, clearer, 
deadlier than before. 

Our situation was critical ; for, should the enemy succeed in 
forcing those positions, the Army of the Potomac would cease to 
exist. At Glendale, Davis and Lee were present. They sought 
to concentrate there and throw upon the National line eighty thou- 
sand men ; but Magruder, Huger and Holmes did not appear in 
time. The battle was a succession of attacks ; the attacks failed, 
and the line was not broken. 

The efforts of Jackson at the crossing were desperate. He ap- 
peared to mass his whole force at that point. But, vexed and 
angry, Jackson failed ; for against the concentrated fire of Frank- 
lin's infantry and artillery no living thing could move. On both 
fields night put an end to the contest, and the Nationals withdrew. 

While these battles were raging fiercest, and the roar of the can- 
non was loudest, (6 p. m.), the transportation that was parked 
around us began to move down the roads ; and our stay for the 
night, as we supposed, became one but for a few hours. First move 
the supply trains, the reserve artillery and siege guns, the ambu- 
lances; then, the headquarter wagons and the transportation of the 
different corps. As the roads or fields and woods permit, the 
wagons move in two, three, or four heavy lines, drawn by two, 
three, or four spans of mules or horses. Silent, earnest, the drivers 
sate ; from them scarce a word or voice is heard. That deep, 
prolonged roar of battle behind has drowned, stifled, or absorbed 
every sentiment. 

Near 9 o'clock, Peck orders his division to move ; but the 
wagons block the road. Staff officers, from those of McClellan 
down, are riding among them, directing, urging, commanding with 
nervous haste and earnestness. After infinite pains, labor and 
anxiety, they parked them again during the night beyond Malvern, 
three or four miles distant, near Haxall's, along the James. In 
the morning (July 1st), they moved again for Harrison's landing. 



94 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



After eleven, Peck's division moved, the 98th ahead, next to the 
general and his personal staff. Couch's division was in front of, 
and Peck's in rear of, and among the trains. Our road passes in a 
deep wood of oak and pine ; we can see but one way — up ; we 
know not what is behind us or about us. The terrible shock of 
that evening's battles has depressed our thoughts and dried the 
fountain of our spirits. Halting, marching, thinking, fearing, 
guessing, weary, exhausted, heavy, slow, we make but half a mile an 
hour. The night is full of fear, full of rumors, full of mystery and 
full of thought. Its apparitions, shadows, or suggestions, sometimes 
affright the bravest. After watching and marching incessantly for 
five days, with but little food, our nervous system was all unstrung, 
and the wildest thoughts gamboled in our minds unbridled and 
unbound. We look to the stars, we look to the ground ; we ob- 
serve every sound, even the rustle of the leaves. 

The regiment was sitting on the ground in four long rows beside 
the road running down a hill. On either side are deep primitive 
woods. Suddenly, suddenly, very suddenly, there occurred what 
is known in the history of our brigade by the name of the " Mule 
charge," an incident to stir men's blood. 

Hath the reader considered the mule, that illustrious foal of 
noble progeny ? Hath the wisdom of man encompassed him ? 
A sluggard may go to the ant, but a soldier should go to the mule 
and consider. 

Sitting, snoozing, half asleep, and dozing, the brigade thought 
it heard the charging of artillery and cavalry combined. The 
rattle, the rush, the noise, the explosion, the flash, all were there. 
We clear the road in an instant ; we rush to the woods. Paralyzed 
by fright, bereft of reason, we leave our arms, caps and' clothing; 
we tumble over each other, and run sauve qui pent — "the devil 
take the hindmost." Gen. John Peck, followed by his foot-order- 
ly, seeks the deepest jungle, and surrendering himself to the con- 
dition of affairs, thus soliloquizes while lying flat on the ground : 
" What a fool I was to come to the war ! If ever I get out of this, 
I will resign. I had a happy home and a pleasant wife who loves 
me. O, my wife ! My God if ever I get out of this alive you'll 
never catch me here again !" "As the general, so the men," says 
the proverb. As were his thoughts, so were ours. 

Reader, be candid and charitable while we state the facts ; two 
mules, escaping from their driver, came running down the road 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 95 



with their harness on, the straps and chains rattling and flapping 
about them. A soldier accidentally discharged his musket. You 
have the scenery and the persons of the drama. Our imagination 
made up the rest ; our mental and physical condition invited the 
delusion. We started and were afraid because others behind us were. 

Sergeant Gore of the color guard was the first to ascertain the 
cause of the fright and to call us back to reason. He had a voice 
like thunder, and he yelled that night his loudest : " Fall in 98th 
the sound rolled for miles over the star-lit waste. In a few 
moments we were ail laughing at our fear. 

Napier, in his History of the Peninsular War, says that, " on 
a certain occasion, a brigade of British soldiers suddenly sprang 
from their sleep around the bivouac-fires, and, without any appa- 
rent cause, ran panic-stricken in every direction." The history of 
many a battle-field asserts that a sudden fright or terror may be 
inspired without any real or perceptible cause. Self-control and 
restraint under-lie all the strata of well -being and success which out- 
crop along the shore of human life. Not only a sound mind in a 
sound body, but all the prizes of life are gained and held on the 
tenure of perpetual self-control. Nothing so dwarfs a man as to 
absorb him constantly in his own wants, trials, cares, fears and 
prospects. 

Mars and Minerva are terrible when in their Gorgon terrors 
clad and surrounded by famine, sword and fire; but Pan, the 
peaceful rural god of woods and shepherds, about whom fawns and 
satyrs frisk, and to whose pipe the nymphs dance, has a cry in him 
which can drive all men to distraction. In the Union army, along 
the echoing hills of Manassas, and the forest shores of Bull-run, 
that cry was heard, and men lost the heart to fight, lost the power 
of self-possession, and ran, they knew not why or where. They 
stopped, they turned, they ran, they flew. Officers and privates, 
regulars and volunteers, cavalry and infantry, sutler and civilian, 
horse and mule, West Pointer and ranting political blatherskite 
under shoulder-straps, all ran for Washington and never looked 
behind them. 

After 3 a. m., July 1st, we stopped in a pine thicket below Mal- 
vern and a mile from the river. We slept on the ground until an 
hour after sun-rise, when we arose and drank a little coffee and ate 
a few pieces of hard bread. At 11, Colonel Durkee mustered the 
regiment for two months' pay, May and June. 



9 6 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Near midday we marched a short distance further down and took 
a position near Carter's mill. The troops of the different corps 
and divisions as they successively arrived, were posted for resist- 
ance in line of battle. Indications showed that somewhere in that 
vicinity the army was going to make another stand. Subsequent- 
ly, we moved to the right in the front line of battle, which by 3 p. 
m. had become continuous, and extended from Malvern on the left, 
as we looked toward Richmond, around to the James below. We 
were in a clover-field behind a wood which was surrounded by 
wheat and pasture-fields. Our color sergeants shook out the flags, 
stuck the staves in the ground, and the regiment scattered about 
in the shade. In the river at Haxall's, we observed a few gun- 
boats and a number of transports which had arrived with supplies. 

The writer was ordered to take charge of a detail from the bri- 
gade of one hundred and fifty men, and go to the landing and 
superintend the unloading of a schooner filled with rations. The 
food was immediately placed upon wagons and sent to the regi- 
ments of the division. 

A living stream of men, wagons, artillery, cavalry, stragglers, 
was pouring by, observing no order, no roads, no commands. 
They made short cuts across the fields and through the woods; 
their speed accelerated by the incessant discharge of rifles and 
cannon a few miles in the rear. 

Our position at Haxall's was less than a mile from the front at 
Malvern, and the gun-boat Galena abreast with the pickets, was just 
above us in the river. The battle began that day at 4 p. m., and 
continued- until 11. There, just behind that fearful battle, all 
night long, by reliefs, we unloaded rations for the famished 
troops. In the morning we rejoined our regiments. 

The following was the order of battle from left to right that day ; 
Porter's corps, Couch's division of Keyes' corps, Sumner's corps, 
Franklin's corps and Peck's division of Keyes' corps. Porter and 
Couch took their position at Malvern on the afternoon of June 
30th ; and the remainder of the army arrived in position on the first 
of July. And the evening- and the morning were the sixth day of 
battles. 

Malvern hill is an elliptical plateau forty or fifty feet above the 
river. Its lower edge, towards the enemy, was fringed by a ravine, 
overgrown with briers and bushes, and filled with water at the left, 
near the James. The right of the mound sloped away into forests 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



97 



and fields. On this hill, under directions of Gen. Barnard, our 
artillery and infantry, as they arrived, were most advantageously 
placed. Nearly all the cannon of the army was crouching there, 
tier above tier, to the crowning battery on the brow. From our 
point of view, on Haxall's house, with our field glass, we could 
discern along its sun-seared sides and stretching to the right, along * 
fences, ditches, ravines and hedges, our infantry hurrying into 
place and line, On the hill, three grim lines of battle, visible on 
its slope, confronted the enemy. 

The Confederates, who approached, generally, by the river road, 
occupied from 10 a. m. until 4 p. m. skirmishing, arriving, and 
taking position. From 6 p. m. to 9 the heavy fighting occurred; 
near 11 the enemy ceased his attacks and the volcano was silent. 

The morning sun of July 2d disclosed nothing on Malvern, in 
the misty, rainy air, but a few scattered horsemen, and the wounded, 
the dying and the dead. The Confederates hastened, after the 
fighting ceased, to Richmond, and the Nationals to Harrison's 
landing. They both did fight, they both did beat, they both did 
run away. 

Sorrow and anguish, evil and dread, enveloped the nation. The 
blessed were the dead, who saw not the sight of their own desola- 
tion, — this work of a night. No soldiers of the Roman legions 
ever fought with greater steadiness and equanimity than the Na- 
tionals exhibited at the battle of Malvern Hill. They repulsed 
unfalteringly every attack of the enemy, and, shouting in grim 
humor, invited him to charge again. 

Two of our gun-boats moved up for convenient range, and took 
part in the action. The Confederate batteries hurled at them 
from the shore a few solid shot. We could hear the balls glance 
from the Galena with a loud ringing noise. 

In the march from Haxall's to Harrison's landing, July 2d 
— seven miles — Keyes' corps became the "rear guard of the 
Grand Army." The weather was rainy ; the roads became a quag- 
mire; we had to wade. Worn-out with fatigue, wet to the skin, 
covered with mud, hungry, sleepy, sick, we would draw up in a 
favorable position, wait until the last wagon, the last soldier, the 
last straggler had passed, and, then, we ourselves would sprawl 
along, few and faint, yet fearless still. 

No enemy pursued us ; for he was following the same military 
formula for a retreating army on his way to Richmond. We en- 
7 



9 8 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



camped for the night in a large wheat-field on Mr. Harrison's farm, 
and gathered the sheaves for beds. Where can rest be found be- 
came something more than a sentimental interrogative. An order 
compelled the regiment to go on picket ; another acquired our 
luxuries, and slept on our sheaves of wheat. 

, Before sunrise of the 3d, we were again on the way behind the 
troops and trains. Along the ground, up and down the clayey- 
banks of ravines and brooklets, were broken wagons and their con- 
tents, rifles and equipments, and every desciiption of baggage 
and plunder. A hospital wagon breaks down, and strews the road 
with medicines and surgical instruments ; a headquarter wagon 
turns over, and the officers' trunks are broken open and rifled. 
Many vehicles sink so deep that no power can draw them out. 
The animals often go down wallowing in the yielding clay, so that 
the harness must be cut before they can be extricated. The road 
looks like a channel of mud scattered with every article that may 
belong to an army. 

During the evening the trains and troops safely arrived within 
the line of heights, about two miles from the river, and five in cir- 
cuit, upon which afterwards were made the defenses and breast- 
works of Harrison's landing. On the morning of July 4th, the 
rear guard retired and took its position in line with the rest of the 
Army of the Potomac ; and the siege of Richmond was raised. 

In this change of base, according to General Lee, the Confed- 
erates captured 10,000 prisoners, 51 pieces of artillery, and 35,- 
000 stand of small arms. General Jackson said: "Undying gra- 
titude is due to God for this great victory, by which despondency 
increased in the North, hope brightened in the South, and the 
capital of Virginia and the Confederacy was saved." McClellan 
stated the aggregate of his losses from June 26th to July 1st, inclu- 
sive, at 15,249. 

The Confederate General Trimble says in his report : " On the 
morning of the 2d of July, I found the whole Confederate army 
in the utmost disorder; thousands of straggling men asking every 
passer-by for their regiments ; ambulances, wagons and artillery 
obstructing the road, presented a scene of the most woful and 
disheartening confusion." 

General Magruder commanded the enemy's right, consisting of 
about 35,000 men, and his force did the fighting at Malvern Hill. 
Gen. Trimble says : I passed over the field where Gen. Magruder 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 99 

made his disastrous charges, every yard of which could be swept by 
the adverse artillery." The Confederate Gen. Early saw this field, 
on the 2d of July, and wrote of it in his report: "As soon as it 
was light an appalling spectacle was presented to our view in front. 
The field, for some distance from the enemy's position, was liter- 
ally strewn with the dead and wounded." Speaking of the dis- 
order on the first of July, Early says: "A large number of men 
retreating from the battle-field began to pass along the road, pro- 
ducing great confusion. I found a very deep ditch filled with 
skulkers from the battle-field. I rode forward on the road leading 
to the battle-field. It was nearly dark. I found the road filled 
with a large number of men retreating in confusion." 

The Confederate Gen. Toombs says in his report of the battle 
of Malvern Hill : " The stream of fugitives was pouring back over 
my line, frequently breaking it and carrying back with them many 
of the men. I immediately began passing up and down my lines 
and in the rear, ordering and bringing back those who had thus 
been swept away ; but it frequently happened in bringing them 
back that the position of those they had left had been changed by 
the same and other causes. I continued these efforts until our 
troops in my front had disappeared. My regiments were separated 
under such cover as the ground afforded. I devoted my time gath- 
ering and forming my troops; this work was exceedingly difficult. 
After these disasters, finding that the enemy did not charge, and 
that our troops were generally in disorder, and there not being any 
organized body of troops on the front, I gathered up my command 
and marched back to the road where we entered the battle." 

Gen. Garland, of D. H. Hill's division, writes : " I sent to in- 
form Major-General D. H. Hill that unless I was reinforced quickly 
I could not hold the position I then occupied. After some delay 
a brigade appeared and seemed coming up to my support. But 
their movements seemed slow, and before they reached me, my 
men began to give way. Remaining on the spot until, in spite of 
every effort, the men could no longer be held there, the brigade 
fell back to the edge of the field from which we had started. It is 
not my desire to indulge in criticism or crimination ; it is enough 
to say that there was a want of concert and co-operation in the 
whole affair that made a successful attack impracticable, and the 
consequent disorder and straggling of troops most lamentable. 
The whole division became scattered." 



IOO NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

McClellan telegraphed to the President, July 2d : " As usual, 
we had a severe battle, yesterday, and beat the enemy badly ; the 
men fighting even better than before." On the 3d of July, the 
General telegraphed "for 100,000 men, more rather than less, 
with which to take Richmond and end the rebellion." General 
Kearney said in an assembly of officers, July 1st: " We ought, in- 
stead of retreating, to follow up the enemy and take Richmond." 
On the 4th of July, the enemy appeared with skirmishers and line 
of battle. At the distance of a mile, he looked in upon us, lay in 
camp until the 8th, when, at night, he returned to Richmond. 

The Confederates lost in killed and wounded during the Seven 
Days' battles, about 16,000 men ; and adding 5,000 prisoners to 
McClellan's report of killed and wounded, will raise the Union 
losses to 20,000. When the President visited Harrison's Bar, July 
7, he found McClellan's army composed and scattered as follows : 
present for duty, 88,66$ ; absent by authority, 34,472 ; absent 
without authority, 3,778 ; sick, 16,619; present and absent, 144,407. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 10 1 



CHAPTER VIII. 



At Harrison's Landing — Times and Things — President Lincoln visits the Army — Gen. Emory 
% — The Army to he Withdrawn from the Peninsula — The Departure of the Different Corps 
— They go to Acquia Creek — The March of Peck's Division — The Weary March — We 
make Yorktown, Aug. 22d— Life and Times at Yorktown — The Stampede of the Keystone 
Cavalry — Gen. Emory mad — The Reconstruction of the 98th — Target Practice — Picket 
Duty — The Times are Sick — We must go — We leave Yorktown under sealed Orders— The 
Voyage — The Old Monitor — The Storm — The Landing at Morehead City and the March- 
ing to Carolina City. 

AT Harrison's landing the position of Keyes' corps was on the 
left of our line, extending from the James towards the right. 
Its front looked up the Peninsula over the road we had passed. 
The engineers immediately laid out defensive works, and the whole 
force was not permitted to rest until the rifle-pits, breastworks, 
and redoubts were constructed. 

The pickets extended from Epp's Island, opposite City Point, 
around to the James below Westover. Much of the land of the 
intrenched camp was covered with a Brazilian growth of trees, 
brush and vines. Through these we crawled or pushed our way, 
built us houses of logs, covered them with tenting, and cleared the 
ground away. After these defenses were constructed, we sought 
to restore order and discipline. Fatigue and exposure had dimin- 
ished our powers of endurance ; the heat was often oppressive ; 
men fainted in the ranks, or fell from sun-stroke on drill. 

Our picket line ran from the James towards the right, through 
an extensive wheat field on which the grain stood in shocks. Along 
the line we formed bivouacs of rails and poles covered and sur- 
rounded with sheaves. Our quarters had never been so comforta- 
ble, and our duty on picket never so light; for the nearest post of 
the enemy was beyond Malvern. We slept and rested, read and 
talked the hours away, where the long July sun lay mirrored on the 
yellow James. Our scouts brought us a few berries, but never a 



102 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Confederate chicken, pig or cow. From the library of a Mr. Har- 
rison, in the Confederate army, we obtained Blair's Rhetoric, the 
Custom Laws of the United States, Wordsworth's Poems, and the 
Prometheus Unbound, in Greek, by Aeschylus. 

On the 7th, the President reviewed the army. He rode along 
the front of each regiment standing in line on its camp-ground. 
Though the commander-in-chief of all our forces, he wore no in- 
signia of rank, but was clothed in his customary suit of solemn black. 
He rode very fast, beside Gen. McClellan, at the head of several 
hundred officers and civilians. 

Every one who has seen Mr. Lincoln has remarked the "de- 
jected 'havior of his visage," the thoughtful cast of his counte- 
nance, recalling forcibly the picture of Don Quixote, the Knight 
of the Rueful Countenance. To us he appeared that day "droop- 
ing, woful, wan, like one forlorn, or crazed with care." Wherever 
he passed the men swelled with their cheers the note of praise. As 
he rode by the 98th, drawn up at attention, with arms pre- 
sented, Col. Durkee, lost in bewildering thoughts and dazzled at 
the unusual display of mounted rank and worth, forgot to direct 
the men to cheer. McClellan, a few feet behind the President, 
riding swift as the wind, but not unmindful of the delight which 
the great experience in hearing the vulgar shout their names, 
turned to the regiment and said: "Cheer, men, cheer." Where- 
upon the men cheered most satisfactorily — in fact rather overdid 
the yelling. And Col. Durkee, after the cavalcade had passed, 
ordered them to cheer again. 

We were immediately disbanded in high delight. Some of the 
men climbed up the trees ; others ran foot-races or engaged in 
boxing and wrestling ; a few rolled through the camp like hoops, 
or turned back hand-springs ; and sleights of art and feats of 
strength went round. 

During the memorable Seven Days, no regiment lost fewer of 
its men or arrived in better shape at Harrison's than the 98th. 
None had preserved its arms and camp equipage better. We had 
all our camp-kettles, four drums and ten fifes. But three men 
were taken prisoners ; Corporal Holliday and privates Hill and 
Grandy detailed to take charge of a barn full of sick and wounded 
left behind. The trunks and their contents, belonging to the offi- 
cers, were destroyed by Lieut. Washburn, 98th, at the crossing of 
the swamp, for want of transportation. Our own letters, books, 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. I03 

clothing, and sole-leather trunk were burned. We admired and 
complimented Washburn's thoughtfulness and kindness when he 
told us their fate, and presented us a few miniatures and our memo- 
randum book, written to the first of June. The book contained 
all we have composed of this history to that date, and something 
more. The public can best estimate the value of Lieut. Wash- 
burn's kindness in saving these, — our contributions to the litera- 
ture of our country. 

Whatever of personal property the regiment started with at the 
swamp, it still retained. None straggled, for they all felt that their 
safety depended on keeping together. 

On the 1 2th we heard that the army would soon withdraw from 
the Peninsula. Peck's division was then reorganized ; the three 
brigades were consolidated into two — thereafter the 98th was in 
the first brigade. Gen. Naglee obtained a sick leave about the 
20th, and Gen. Emory was temporarily assigned to our command. 
He came from the Shenandoah valley with the reinforcements 
which Shields sent to Harrison's. He was well liked by the men; 
was brave, rough, humorous, talented, and sociable. Gen. Grant, 
it is said, always carried a tooth-brush in his vest pocket ; from the 
pocket of Gen Emory one frequently saw protruding about half of 
a fine-toothed comb. 

A few days after he had taken command of the brigade, the 
author was detailed brigade officer of the picket, and directed to 
report to Gen. Emory for instructions. 

Emory knew, at that time, nothing of the disposition of the 
pickets of the division or corps. After conversing a short time, 
the General all the while combing his sandy hair and whiskers, 
turned to us and said : " Who the devil are you?" We replied : 
" Captain — in the 98th N. Y. vols." He appeared perfectly satis- 
fied, and asked us to wait until after breakfast, when he would ride 
along the line with us. 

While at Harrison's landing, Capt. Mannix, who was after- 
wards tried at Canandaigua for his Fenian proclivities, and Capts. 
Doty, Wakely, and Ellsworth, and Lieut. Norton were discharged 
for disability. Upon application of their chief, the sixteen St. 
Regis Indians were mustered out by order of the President. Many 
of our sick, left behind at different points, from Albany down, 
joined us there. Our number nearly doubled ; we drew new cloth- 
ing, camp and garrison equipage, and began to appear respectable. 



104 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



In addition to the army ration, we could obtain nothing of the 
sutlers but a kind of ginger cake, cheese, and salt-fish. 

Privately, when we came, we had nothing in which to cook our 
food but one coffee pot. In this were boiled beans, rice, meat, fish, 
coffee, and tea. In a short time we acquired all the utensils* of a 
modern kitchen. 

The narrow limits of our camps, the dead animals, the offal, the 
hot weather, multiplied the flies beyond credibility. They "roost- 
ed " an inch deep along the ridge pole of our tents. Every piece 
of meat or drop of grease thrown on the ground, in a moment, 
became black with them. We were compelled to drive them away 
from every spoonful and forkful that we ate. 

McClellan somewhere reports his present and absent sick at 
Harrison's Landing, belonging to the Army of the Potomac, to 
have been 45,000 men, and the present sick 12,500. Many of the 
absent were well and hearty, sporting their uniforms at the North, 
1 and intriguing for promotion above their comrades who remained 
at the post of duty. 

On the 4th of August McClellan was directed to withdraw the 
army to Acquia creek. The route and method were left to his dis- 
cretion. He opposed the order, protested, asked for reinforcements. 
Gen. Halleck, then General in-chief, was unchangeable, and the 
movement began. To cover the evacuation McClellan demonstra- 
ted against Richmond by sending Hooker on a reconnoisance to 
Malvern Hill. The sick and heavy material were transported by 
water; the remainder of the army marched down the Peninsula, 
and embarked at Yorktown, Newport News, and Fortress Monroe. 
August 17th everything was removed from Harrison's Bar — no pro- 
perty or men left behind. 

The knapsacks and baggage of our brigade were placed on a ca- 
nal boat to be freighted to Yorktown, but the boat sank before 
leaving the landing. The Government replaced the knapsacks 
and clothing lost by the soldiers. The two leading corps — Por- 
ter's andHeintzelman's — marched the 14th, crossed the Chickahom- 
iny at Jones' bridge and Barrett's ferry, and embarked, the former 
on the 20th at Newport News, the latter on the 21st at Yorktown 
for Acquia creek. 

On the morning of the 17th, Keyes' corps, as rear guard, started 
for Yorktown. It moved at 4 a. m., and bivouacked at sun-set in 
a corn-field near Charles City court house. The ears were just 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 105 

suitable for roasting, and by morning we left a slim crop for the 
owner, John Tyler, ex-president. 

The departure of the infantry was covered by Gen. Pleasanton, 
who remained with his cavalry and horse artillery at Haxall's un- 
til the rear guard had passed Charles City court-house, when he 
fell back and followed the army. 

On the morning of the 18th the whole army was on the move; 
before sunrise we resumed our march. In a few hours we inter- 
sected Sumner's corps, which had taken the river road. The way 
was blocked up with trains ; we waited for them to pass. About 
11 o'clock we reached the Chickahominy, at Barrett's ferry, and 
crossed on a pontoon 2000 feet long. The army had forty miles 
of wagons and artillery. When we arrived, and while we were at 
the bridge, hundreds of them were being hitched up and moved 
off. Passing the bridge, and ascending the rising ground beyond, 
the mingled batteries and wagons, the long lines of infantry sweep- 
ing over the country presented a fine military spectacle, not often 
seen, and never to be forgotten. On the 19th, the rear-guard 
passed and the bridge was taken up. 

On the night of the 19th, we bivouacked four miles above Wil- 
liamsburg ; on that of the 20th six miles below. We rested the 21st, 
under the green, slender, leaf-clad holly boughs, and re-mustered the 
regiment. Many regiments had neglected that important duty at 
the proper time, and the order to muster was general for the di- 
vision. 

On the 19th, we marched twenty-one miles,; — the hottest, hard- 
est march we ever made. When we halted for the night, in an 
oak and pine thicket of second growth, many of the men sank 
down where they stood, and fell asleep ; others of us refreshed 
ourselves in a stream which ran near by to the James ; then spread- 
ing our blankets on the sun-seared ground, lay down upon them, 
without any covering but the sky. The sleep of the laboring man 
is sweet, whether he eat little or much. 

On the 2 2d, the division arrived at Yorktown, and the regiment 
Went into camp two miles below the town, on the bank of the 
river. August the 23d, Peck's division of Keyes' corps, and Sum- 
ner's corps, were the only troops on the Peninsula. McClellan 
embarked at Fortress Monroe on the 23d, and landed at Acquia 
Creek, the 24th, without, as he said, an army or a command. Gen. 
Keyes remained in command at Yorktown. On the 23d, the 104th 



106 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

Pennsylvania volunteers and the iooth New York volunteers crossed 
from Yorktown to Gloucester Point, opposite, and encamped in a 
pentagonal earthwork, the largest ever built in this country, and 
upon which the Confederates worked a thousand negroes for twelve 
months. We are back where we started from ; the era is now full ; 
the Army of the Potomac has made one revolution in its elliptical 
orbit ; and the moon has four times changed her form from glow- 
ing orb to crescent wan. 

On the high bluffs of the York, we have a splendid camp ; we 
have rest and ease, the necessaries and the luxuries of life. The 
river supplies us with fish and canvas-backs and the best oysters. 
The markets of Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, and Baltimore are at our 
command. We have Northern papers and a daily mail. We say 
" The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, eat, drink, and be 
merry." While we breathe, let us live. 

York is one of the eight original counties into which Virginia 
was divided in 1638. It is thirty miles long, with a mean width 
of five miles, and is bounded on the north and east by York river 
and Chesapeake bay. In i860, its population was 4,949 ; in 1870, 
7,198. At the last census it contained 20,665 acres of improved 
land valued at $484,734; and the whole amount of its farm pro- 
ducts was estimated at $176,478. Yorktown, once a flourishing 
village, became the county-seat in 1705. It is on the York river, 
eleven miles from its mouth, thirty-three from Norfolk, and seventy 
from Richmond. In 1862, it had less than forty dwellings, — all 
dilapidated, going to decay. The water scenery from the town is 
splendid ; from a high point or bluff, it looks up and down the 
river, with its sloping shores diversified with evergreen forests and 
well-cultivated farms. The town is memorable in American his- 
tory for the surrender of the army of Cornwallis, October 19, 1781, 
to the combined armies Of the United States and France. The 
place where that event was consummated is a half mile east of the 
town, on the road to Hampton, and, surrounded by a railing, it 
made an excellent rostrum for 4th of July speakers and a stand for 
the judges at the Yorktown races. Col. John Trumbull has re- 
presented the surrender on canvas. As an aide of Gen. Washing- 
ton he was present at the transaction, and his picture represents 
the moment when the principal officers of the British army, con- 
ducted by Gen. Lincoln, were passing the two groups of American 
and French officers. The portraits are distinct ; the chief actors 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 107 

are brought together with accurate details of dress, manners, and 
arms. .The Swan Tavern, jail, court-house, old church, Gov. 
Nelson's house, are of no particular interest to the reader, and, 
though our notes are full, we pass them by " in silence unob- 
served." In the old grave-yard and about the tomb of Nelson we 
penciled in our note-book like a tourist, and, to day, we draw a 
long cross over our observations. 

The garrison of Yorktown consisted, Sept. ist, 1862, of the 
100th, 98th, 8 1 st, 56th, and the Independent Battalion of New 
York volunteers; the 104th and 52d Pennsylvania volunteers; the 
nth Maine volunteers, a part of the 5th Pennsylvania cavalry, and 
two batteries. The batteries were within the fort; the 100th New 
York and 104th Pennsylvania were at Gloucester Point ; the cav- 
alry was at Williamsburg ; and the other troops were in camp east 
of the town, down along the river. The remainder of the division, 
or Wessel's brigade, went with Gen. Peck to Suffolk, and made 
with him the campaign of the Blackwater. 

The garrison remained at Yorktown until the 28th of Decem- 
ber, and was engaged drilling, leveling the old fortifications, and 
making forays into the enemy's country towards Fredericksburg. 
The object of these was to capture horses, grain, stock, and to de- 
stroy some salt-works along the shore of the Chesapeake. 

There sitting in our tents during the quiet, still days of August, 
we fancied that we heard in the air, along the ground, dull, heavy 
sounds coming from Pope's artillery fighting between Germantown, 
Sudley Springs, Gainesville, and Manassas junction, the battles of 
Bull- run, nearly one hundred miles away. During the month of 
October Gen. Keyes was relieved, and the post of Yorktown was 
included in the department of Major-General Dix, commanding 
at Fortress Monroe. 

The Confederate troops, observing us, had their headquarters at 
Charles City court-house, and were commanded by Gen. Wise. 
One morning-early they surprised and stampeded our Pennsylvania 
cavalry at Williamsburg. They "dusted out" our Keystone 
friends in a hurry. Never was even a cavalry regiment in greater 
haste ; some ran, others rode, half-naked, to Yorktown. Without 
hats, without trousers, in their shirts and drawers, eleven of them 
stood before Gen. Emory, in Yorktown, and told him how sud- 
denly and by how many they weie attacked. The general was 
mad f and this was a fine occasion for him to show how angry he 



Io8 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

could be; like Jonah's sea, he wrought and was tempestuous. 
" How many rebels did you see?" said the general to one. " I 
didn't see any one ; it was too dark; I heard the firing and the 
running of the horses," was the reply. "By God," said Emory. 
He interrogated each in turn, and received like satisfactory an- 
swers. He declared that they were all cowards, that he would 
have them all shot, that they were not fit to keep sheep. After a 
great deal of blustering and swearing, he directed his adjutant- 
general to get the command under arms, and then mounted his 
horse himself. We saw him raise himself apparently by sections, 
and develop like a telescope. Soon we were on the march to 
Williamsburg. Unencumbered, we move with alacrity ; we are 
not afraid of a thousand Wises. Emory, with a company of cav- 
alry, is far ahead. He meets at every turn a squad of the fright- 
ened Pennsylvanians, and swears and blows and scolds and storms 
by note as before. We soon ascertain that the enemy has retired 
far up the Peninsula with his plunder ; that pursuit was futile, and 
that the greater part of the cavalry had resumed its place. By 3 
p. m., we were all back in camp again, and the farce was ended. 
The Pennsylvanians were attacked by one-third their number. 
Two or three of them were wounded, and half of their horses were 
stolen. Those of them who kept their quarters were not disturbed ; 
and, on rising, they had lost nothing but their horses. 

While at Yorktown, the sick and wounded, and the prisoners of 
the regiment returned ; and all those malingerers who played out 
up the Peninsula came back hale and hearty from their northern 
homes. 

Material changes were made to the field and line. Capt. Crary re- 
signed to accept the appointment of assistant surgeon in the 65th 
New York volunteers ; Surgeon David resigned, and John J. Van 
Rensselaer, a relative of the Patroon of Albany, was commissioned 
to fill the vacancy ; Lieut. Colonel Charles Durkee was promoted 
colonel : Lieut. F. F. Wead, 16th New York volunteers, was ap- 
pointed lieut. colonel ; and Geo. H. Clark, quartermaster, was 
elevated to the rank of major ; Sergeants Wm. B. Rudd, Wm. H. 
Rogers, and a number of others were promoted lieutenants, and va- 
rious changes were made among the rank and file. 

The appointments and promotions were made by Governor Mor- 
gan, and those to the positions in the field provoked an unlimited 
amount of dissatisfaction. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. I09 

Near the first of October, Naglee returned, and Emory bade us 
farewell. 

Naglee began a series of drills, reviews, and parades, all on Sun- 
days. Though a day of rest, by order of the President, Sunday 
was to us a day of military evolutions and displays. 

Our stay here was of great advantage in point of discipline and 
instruction. Until Naglee's return every fifth soldier wore a civil- 
ian's hat and trousers ; he compelled them to dress in the uniform 
of the service. 

We had opportunity to practice the new system of target firing. 
By permission of the War Department, each soldier might expend 
ten rounds a week. A little practice enabled them to estimate dis- 
tances with great accuracy, and to fire with wonderful precision. 

At first but one shot in five or six hit the target, of the size of a 
man, at one hundred and fifty yards. The men improved ; but 
the best firing did not give over one-third hits ; which is probably 
the average in other regiments. If only one shot in three takes ef- 
fect, we can readily account for the vast amount of ammunition 
expended in action. In European armies rifle-practice is taught 
as a science. In ordinary warfare but one shot in seven hundred 
is effective. A murderous fire may kill but few. 

In November, several regiments of nine months' men arrived. 
They were drilled by details from the older commands. During 
all this time several gun-boats lay in the river opposite our camps : 
the " Chocura," the " Mehaska," and others. 

As the cold weather came on, our picket duty became more se- 
vere. The darker and more stormy the night, the greater the vigi- 
lance demanded. The picket makes no fire ; he is always dressed 
and equipped. On post, he is relieved every hour; on reserve but 
half are allowed to sleep. His duty is to reconnoitre the enemy, 
watch the roads, bridges, fords, and defiles. An hour before the 
break of day, infantry pickets stand to arms, and cavalry mount. 
If attacked in force, they fight in close or open order, as may be 
best, hold the enemy at bay as long as possible, and retire upon 
their supports and camps. The tour of duty is one of vigilance, 
activity, and responsibility. 

Rumors fill the air; the times are sick, and out of joint. We 
have orders to refit, to send away the sick, and to turn over to the 
post officers our surplus stores. It is plain that we soon must bid 
fare-well to our pleasant camps and quarters. 



IIO NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

On the 24th of December, a circular directed regimental com- 
manders to be ready to move by water at a moment's notice. 
Cooked rations were afterwards kept on hand, and the necessary 
preparations made for embarking. 

The strength of the eight regiments of the brigade was 4,338. 
So early as the 25th, large ocean-going steamers began to make 
their appearance in the river; and, on the morning of the 27th of 
December, 1862, the 98th having embarked the evening before, left 
Yorktown on the side-wheel steamer New York City. The vessel 
anchored off Fortress Monroe in the afternoon, was examined and 
condemned, declared unfit to go to sea. During the evening we 
returned to York river, and were transferred to the Cahawba be- 
fore daylight on the morning of the 29th. This was a larger, safer 
side-wheel steamer, and formerly ran between New York and New 
Orleans. At the commencement of the war the Cahawba was cap- 
tured at the latter city, by the Confederates, and subsequently was 
delivered to the National authorities by the Governor of Louisiana. 
On this occasion, it carried Gen. Naglee and staff, the 98th and 
nth Maine, and ten days' rations. All things being on and ready, 
we steamed directly from York river to Cape Henry without stop- 
ping at Fortress Monroe. 

Oh my soul's joy ! 

York river, Chesapeake bay, and Hampton Roads were like the 
Elysian Fields to us. Happy with every want supplied, on them 
we idling dreamed the autumnal days of 1862 away. Farewell, 
happy field, where joy forever dwells : 

" In dreams I revisit thy sea-beaten shore." 

We were sailing under sealed orders, to be opened only when 
thirty miles south of the Cape. Our steamer took in tow from 
York river the sailing vessel Montebello, which bore the 56th New 
York volunteers. Passing Cape Henry, our instructions di- 
rected us to report at New Berne to Gen. Foster, commanding 
the 1 8th corps and the department of North Carolina. Beaufort 
has the only harbor in that state which the vessels could enter. Ar- 
riving there, Gen. Naglee could take his troops to New Berne, 
thirty-six miles distant, by railroad. All the vessels had cor- 
responding orders. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. Ill 

The voyage was very unpleasant. But few of the troops were 
accustomed to ocean traveling, and " a life on the ocean wave, 
a home on the rolling deep," was fraught with terrors, sickness 
and danger. 

The wind became high and strong ; the sea grew frightfully 
rough; the " Montebello " broke loose, and floated away in the 
ocean ; the Cahawba, driven back a day on its course, climbed 
hills of seas. A little after 5 p. m., we passed the State of Georgia, 
a side-wheel steamer, towing the old iron Monitor, which 
we saw rocking on the waves in Hampton Roads, in April, a few 
days after its monster battle with the ' ' Merrimack.' ' The high 
waves rolled over the Monitor, and the State of Georgia moved 
slowly, with difficulty, laboring with its tow. We watched them 
long and anxiously with our glasses ; and often asked each other dur- 
ing the night for an opinion concerning their safety and wondered 
if the sacred iron-clad still lived. 

In that storm, during that night, the old Monitor, the Nation's 
naval bulwark in its sorest need, foundered off windy Hatteras, and 
with several of its officers and crew went down to the bottom of 
the sea. 

The Cahawba arrived at the dock of Morehead City, Beaufort 
harbor, on the morning of January 1st, 1863. We found there 
several of the regiments which had left Yorktown after the storm. 
The Montebello came as safely on the 4th as if it had never broken 
from its consort, the Cahawba. Of our brigade no living thing was 
lost ; but one mule jumped overboard, and sacrificed himself to 
Neptune, the ruler of the sea. The sacrifice worked like a charm ; 
the offended deity was appeased : no more efficacious the offering 
of Iphigenia in Taurus or of the daughter of Jephthah. 

We landed during the day, placed our baggage on cars, and, 
marching up the Atlantic and North Carolina railroad, three miles 
to Carolina City, went into camp. 



112 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER IX. 



Every Man in his Humor, or, As You Like It— Office — Office-seeking — The Corruptions of 
Public Men — Chances to rise in Life — Carolina City — Morehead City — Beaufort — Fort 
Macon — The Burial of Charles Peterson — Organization of the Expedition — The Entertain- 
ment by the Glee Club— Old Noah and Sergeant Felter— A Visit to Cape Lookout, and the 
View from the Tower of the Lighthouse — Preparations for Sailing — Waiting for Fair Wea- 
ther — Let us Sail — We Sail, and enter Port Royal Harbor Jan. 31st. 

'* Out on an ocean all boundless we roam." 

IN the second centennial of our national independence, in the 
first year of the presidency of Gen. Hayes, and in the first year 
of the administration of Gov. Robinson, we make what speed we 
can in the preparation for the press of these our entertaining notes, 
and authentic history of the 98th. 

While so many opportunities present themselves to our acquaint- 
ances to rise in law, in physic and in state ; while every little town 
has its rising young man, our friends affect to wonder why we can 
permit our chance to pass unimproved, and devote our time to a 
thankless, unprofitable task. Since of making books there is no 
end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh, they say, it is far 
preferable to importune for office, and press our claims for distinc- 
tion and emolument. In short, they exclaim ; " Anything but a 
dull, prosy, raconteur, or a poor, pale, poetic scribbler." And we 
retort : " Give us any position in society, any fate in life, but that 
of a whining, disappointed, professional office-seeker. Without 
doubt, we all love distinction ; and ambition, that last infirmity of 
noble minds, prompts us constantly to do and dare ; but what can 
talent, worth, or honesty accomplish, when the avenues to every 
place are crowded with a multitude of clamoring, jarring, persist- 
ing aspirants, and office itself is acquired by influence, corruption, 
and favor." And they rejoin: "An organization from town to 
nation controls the nominations and appointments. Study this 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 113 

organization, become acquainted with its magnates, ingratiate 
yourself in their favor, be like them, go in with them if you wish 
to win." 

With no visible impediment without, and no ungovernable 
passion within, and often repeating that supreme benediction : 
'•Peace on earth, and good-will towards men," we prefer to keep 
our hands unspotted from the world, and along the cool, se- 
questered vale of life, pursue the noiseless tenor of our way. It 
was ever thus from childhood's hour, that we, rather coin our heart 
and drop our blood for drachmas than raise money by vile means, 
or seek office by any indirections. While the names of our highest 
officials honor this corruption, while they sell and mart the people's 
offices for gold, while the power of wealth bestrides the world like 
a colossus, while the whole political heart is sick and the body 
faint, and crime everywhere holds his courts and debauchery his 
orgies, Reader, do we not do well in resolving to blush unseen, 
to sparkle in the unfathomed caves of ocean, or waste our sweetness 
on the desert air? 

Those who have waded thus far into this volume will remember 
that the last chapter closed Jan. 2d, 1863, with the 98th at Caro- 
lina city, on the Atlantic and North Carolina railroad, three miles 
from Beaufort harbor. There, let the curtain rise and the panora- 
ma begin to move. 

The troops were encamped on each side of the railroad, on 
sandy ground, too dry to be frozen, but covered at intervals with 
a light, thin snow. The railroad ran over a sandy ridge, or rec- 
tangular bar, five by ten miles, nearly surrounded by Newport 
river and Bogue sound. Carolina city is a harbor on the 
sound, and was, at that time, composed of a small depot 
and six dwelling-houses. On a northern map, it would have 
no name or place, and does not, in a political point, deserve a 
notice. But strategy and military operations give importance to 
Malta and Gibraltar, and little towns and hamlets in Greenland 
and Siberia have a local habitation and a name. 

Sandy camps are generally warm and healthy, and barring the 
barrenness of the country, our situation was not unpleasant. The 
ground is never more than ten feet above the surface of the water, 
the wooded land is in excess, the pine everywhere prevails. On 
the cleared opening, an occasional family of poor whites pick from 
the land and the sea a frugal and uncertain living. 
'8 



ii4 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



A few scattered spears of oats and wheat, a few stubbed ears of 
corn and a yam-like sweet-potato are in this vicinity the sole pro- 
ductions of the Old North State. During our stay of twenty days 
it snowed a few hours, the thermometer vibrated about the freez- 
ing point, the air was clear and the wind easterly, westerly and 
northerly. 

Morehead, the terminus of the Atlantic and North Carolina 
railroad, contained about thirty frame houses. The wharf and de- 
pot upon it are among the finest structures of the kind in the 
country. It was built on cast iron piles ; a rail track ran on each 
side to the end, where the water was sufficiently deep for vessels 
of fifteen hundred tons to approach and receive or discharge their 
cargoes. Here, in peaceful times, an immense quantity of naval 
stores were shipped for Europe and the northern states. On the 
arrival of our expedition, this depot was in charge of two or three 
men from Wayne county. Among them, O. K. Klinck, of Lyons, 
surprised us with his friendly greeting and cheerful welcome. 

On the southern side of the harbor stands Fort Macon, an old 
Government work. When the war broke out, it fell into the hands 
of the enemy, having been taken by Gov. Ellis before the seces- 
sion of the state. It is a regular fortress, built, at great cost, of 
bricks and sand. The work stands on the end of a long sand- 
bank, which divides Bogue sound from the ocean. There, look- 
ing out upon the broad Atlantic, it commands the entrance to 
Beaufort harbor. Under direction of Gen'l Burnside, in March, 
1862, it was invested by sea and land, and, after fighting a few 
hours, its garrison, consisting of five hundred men, surrendered to 
Gen'l. Parke. 

Across the Newport river, east of Morehead, is Beaufort, a place 
in history of some consequence and notoriety. Its houses are old- 
fashioned, shabby, and dilapidated; it has no side-walks, and the 
sand drifts in its streets. The stores will hardly pass for sutlers' 
establishments. The inhabitants take boarders from the country 
and the south, and evaporate sea water for salt. Before the war 
it contained about 1,800 inhabitants, and was, at our visit, Jan. 
10, 1863, the most unattractive, cheerless, sandy village we ever 
saw. At the meagre board of its one hotel, they set before us for 
dinner stale bread, corned beef, hash, sweet-potatoes, weak tea 
and dried apple pies. The dried apple pie was to us a melange, 
we fancy, no less " toothsome " than would be to a bon vivant, an 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 115 

Old England "plum pudding, imported and served warm," of an 
afternoon, at a thanksgiving dinner. Mournfully our mind re- 
turned to those Elysian Fields which we had just left, where we 
feasted on fresh bread and pancakes, northern potatoes, canvas- 
backs, roast-beef, pig, turkey, chicken, fish, York river and Linn 
Haven oysters and cheese. 

Formerly, its harbor admitted vessels of the largest size that 
traded in the south; now, the highest tide gives but six feet sound- 
ings along its docks. The waters of this state are becoming shal- 
lower, and not many generations hence the sounds and river chan- 
nels will become bayous, marshes and sand-swamps. 

From Beaufort water communication is unbroken, inside the 
ocean, to Lyons, Chicago, Duluth, and every other maritime place 
in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. 

In our log-book is written : " Charles Peterson, private, Co. F., 
died at Carolina city, Jan. u, 1863. Not well when the expedi- 
tion left Yorktown, he refused to remain behind. The sea-voyage 
improved his health, but the exposure of camp-life, here, brought 
on again his malarial fever. His last words were : ' I have done 
what I could ; I die for my country; close up, boys.' " 

"Of all the bones that have whitened battle-fields, 
How very few live in the chronicle ! " 

His comrades dug his grave two or three rods from the water, 
among a few scattered pines, on the highest bank of Bogue sound, 
where the zephyrs sigh and the tempests roar. 

The ordinary military honors were paid, the escort paraded, the 
regimental band played the dead march in Saul, and his friends 
followed in reversed order to the grave. His comrades laid him 
out in his soldier's uniform, his cap, his two coats, his trousers, and 
his shoes. At his grave they wrapped his blanket around him, 
hung around his shoulders his canteen filled with water, and his 
haversack with three days' rations. Then they laid in his grave, 
for a pillow, his knapsack, containing an extra pair of drawers 
and stockings, a shirt, his memorandum-book, letters, and per- 
sonal trinkets. After they had laid his body decently in the grave, 
they sprinkled three handfuls of sand upon it, and said: " Charles 
Peterson, farewell ! Charles Peterson, farewell ! Charles Peterson, 
farewell ! As they pronounced the last farewell, the extremumque- 



Il6 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

vale, not an eye was dry. They believed that his soul still lived ; 
but whether it had returned to his old home in Sodus or whether 
it yet lingered where the body lay, along the rippling line of that 
golden coast, they knew not. They believed that his soul still 
lived ; but whether separate, individual, personal, and distinct, as 
when alive they knew him; or, whether, like a wave of the ocean, 
it constituted a part of that vitalizing, energizing mind, which sus- 
tains the universe, they knew not. 

Led by no creed, no dogma, no new confession, they had' de- 
cently, respectfully buried him ; and the hoary-headed sages of the 
east, the doctors of divinity, and the vicars general of the west 
could not do more. No marble sarcophagus, no elaborate casket, 
enclosed his breast ; no pealing anthem swelled the note of praise ; 
no Bossuet or Massillon, with mock pathos, in flowery or turgid 
oratory, told how little he knew of the new life, of the long jour- 
ney, of the great future, upon which their comrade, Charles Peter- 
son, had so recently entered, in the favor and the keeping still as 
ever, of that 

" Father of all, in every age, 

By every clime adored, 
By saint, by savage, and by sage, 

Jehovah, Jove, or Lord." 

After filling up his grave, they placed at his head a board, on 
which they had cut with their pocket-knives : 

"CHARLES PETERSON, 
Priv., Co. F., 98TH N. Y. Vols., 
Mort. Jan. 11, i86j, Alt. 24." 

Below these words and figures, as an admonition to the living, 
they graved this command, which the old Greeks said is divine: 
" Know thyself," and which teaches us not to be unduly anxious 
about the future, but that the duties of the present should engage 
us. 

While the escort was retiring, five officers improvised a choir 
and sang, sotto voce, standing near, that stanza beginning : " Why 
should our tears in sorrow flow ?' ' found somewhere in Christian 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 117 



hymnology, and thus a few scattered rays from the cross glittered 
around the grave. 

At the time our expedition came to Morehead, the department 
of North Carolina was commanded by Gen. J. G. Foster with 
headquarters at New Berne. To him Gen. Naglee was directed 
to report. 

A few days before our arrival, Gen. O. S. Ferry, late senator 
from Connecticut, had transferred his brigade from Suffolk, Va., 
to New Berne. Thither also our old companions in the Peninsular 
campaign, Gen. Wessel and his brigade, had retired, in the early 
winter, after having taken part in the movement against Kinston 
and Goldsboro. 

By general order, dated Jan. 3d, 1863, Gen. Foster directed the 
organization of his command. Naglee, Wessel, and Ferry, each 
had a division; and Wessel was to remain in command of the 
department. 

Of Naglee's division, Gen. Heckman had the first brigade, con- 
sisting of the 9th N. Y. vols., the 23d Mass, the 81st and 98th 
N. Y. vols. Col. Davis, of 104th Penn. volunteers, commanded 
the 2d brigade, formed of the 104th, 5 2d Penn., the nth Me., the 
1 ooth and Independent Battalion N. Y. volunteers. Our old 
friends, the 56th N. Y., Col. Van Wyck's 10th Legion, were 
transferred to Ferry. 

The writer became assistant-adjutant general of the 2d brigade, 
and served detached from the 98th until the 1st of September. Na- 
glee, while temporarily in command of the department, announced 
in orders the five brigades which were intended for the expedition ; 
informed them that they should embark soon, and directed the 
regimental and company commanders to put the men in the best 
possible condition. In each brigade of his own division he formed 
a company of sharp-shooters, consisting of fifty men, young, brave, 
active, and well instructed in the skirmish drill. 

We remained at Carolina city, waiting to embark, until the 21st 
of January. Camp-guards were unnecessary ; picket duty was very 
light ; we had no place for drill. The troops had no exercise, but 
little duty, and soon began to feel the ennui of camp-life. To 
break this monotony, the glee-club of the 104th Pennsylvania an- 
nounced to the public, by written posters, that they would give 
a musical and dramatical entertainment in the depot warehouse 
at Carolina city. No advertisement in a New York city daily 



Il8 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

for Othello, Hamlet, or the Black Crook, ever attracted more at- 
tention. 

The mise en scene exhibited good taste and an adaptation of 
means to an end seldom seen. Boards on pork-barrels and cracker- 
boxes formed the stage ; and garrison flags and tent flies for dra- 
pery and curtains, prevented the inquisitive from peeping into 
the transformations of the actors. Three brigade bands, con- 
solidated for the occasion under one leader, with a tremendous 
staff, formed the orchestra. For them a platform was erected at 
the right of the stage. Of the five violins, borrowed at Beaufort, 
one was a genuine Cremona, the property of a Baptist clergyman. 

The best singers and players in the whole command were engaged. 
One contributed a piece of music from Handel or Hayden, 
another, a fugue from Bach. The inimitable Lieut. Case, of the 
98th, the best ballad singer since the days of Robert Burns, came 
upon the stage and rendered Nellie's Grave. Old Noah, formerly 
private servant of the Baptist clergyman at Beaufort, then promoted 
cook at our brigade headquarters, and nearly sixty years of age, 
came with five of his aged colored friends, and on violins, banjo, 
tamborine, bones, and triangle, produced Dixie. Old Noah with 
his Cremona was vociferously encored. The managers had dressed 
him neatly in soldier's trousers, shoes, and blouse. He was tall 
and slim ; his face was Caucasian rather than African ; and he had 
the soul of music in him. He came back alone, diffidently, upon 
the stage, sat up straight, as the painters sometimes represent 
Henry Clay or George Washington, held his violin comme ilfaut, 
and began to play a hornpipe. 

When about half through with the piece, we observed that he 
had changed his posture ; that he had crossed his left leg over 
his right, that his head leaned over along the violin, that his eyes 
were half closed, and that his under lip curled over and hung down 
half a hand or more. The instrument and man appeared one ; the 
bow flew like lightning, and the air and the audience felt the ma- 
gic of his music beyond the power of description. 

During an interlude, Sergeant Felter, 3d New York battery, 
came around before the curtain, and walking back and forth on 
the proscenium, whittled at some chain-links on the end of a pine 
stick, and whistled Yankee Doodle high and loud, distinct and clear. 
This brought down the house. They stamped him, cheered him, 
clapped him with their hands. He came around in front again 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 119 



and, puffing out his cheeks like a player on the trombone, rendered, 
" The Girl I Left Behind Me." 

The entertainment was concluded with a comic after-piece called 
"The Barber." 

Under the vaulted roof of the palace in Babylon, at the royal 
feast for Persia won by Philip's warlike son, Timotheus placed on 
high amid the tuneful choir, may have excelled the Glee Club in 
the paraphernalia and splendor of his entertainment, but we are 
unwilling to believe that he displayed any more of the spirit of 
music and song than did the Glee Club that night in the depot 
of the Atlantic and North Carolina railroad. That principal mu- 
sician with his selected orchestra of three brigade bands, more 
than fifty instruments, and with his truncheon like a weaver's 
beam, seemed to shake the spheres. 

The house was filled ; the effort appreciated, and the collection 
sixty dollars. 

While in command of the department, during Gen. Foster's ab- 
sence, Naglee made his headquarters on the small side-wheel 
steamer Secor. In this boat he was moving about continually — 
making the rounds of the department. He went to New Berne 
several times, passing around through Hatteras Inlet rather than 
go by rail thirty-six miles. On one occasion he invited the field 
officers of his division and several others to make an excursion out 
on the ocean in this little steamer. We ran out Beaufort harbor, 
and, passing up the coast about fifteen miles, went ashore on Cape 
Lookout. The cape is the southern terminus of that long sandy 
bank which divides the ocean from the sounds, and extends with 
two or three interruptions to Cape Henry. On this bar in the days 
of Elizabeth and Raleigh was made the first landing on the soil of 
the United States ; and, behind it, at Roanoke, the early settlers 
established " the future mart and marine depot of the New World." 
We took on shore a markee tent, pitched it by the lighthouse, and 
had dinner there. 

The tower is round, built of brick, one hundred and fifty feet 
high, fifteen at the base and eight at the top. The superb, imported, 
Fresnel lens, which our government purchased in Paris, had been 
removed by the enemy. 

We ascended the lighthouse by an inside, spiral stair-case, to the 
top ; and from there had one of the most extensive views of the 
Atlantic which can be obtained. Only four of our party could go 



120 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



so high. Some half dozen steam-boats and sailing vessels were in 
view; the line of the Gulf-stream was distinguishable, and old 
Ocean in all his grandeur rose and fell at our feet. The view from 
the top of the tower so overwhelmed us at first that we preserved 
our consciousness with difficulty. In such a wide view of the 
ocean, we are often conscious of more pain than pleasure. Byron's 
Apostrophe to the Ocean seemed to meet our thoughts the best of 
anything we had ever read : 

Thou glorious mirror, where the Almighty's form 

Glasses itself in tempest ; in all time, 
Calm or convulsed, in breeze, or gale or storm, 

Icing the pole, or in the torrid clime 
Dark, heaving, boundless, endless, and sublime, 

The image of Eternity, the throne 
Of the Invisible ! — even from out thy slime 

The monsters of the deep are made ; each zone 
Obeys thee ; — thou goest forth, dread, fathomless, and alone. 

Reader, take the map and find Cape Lookout projecting into 
the wide Atlantic, terminating a long bank never wider than half 
a mile, never higher than eight or ten feet, and you will have our 
bearing, distance, latitude and longitude for that excursion day. 
After thus laying our hand upon the ocean's mane and playing fami- 
liar with his hoary locks, we returned, refreshed and delighted. 

A few days before the 20th, transports began to collect in the 
harbor. They were assigned by the quartermasters to the different 
commands. Each vessel was required to take for the troops it was 
chartered to carry water and provisions sufficient for twenty days. 

Again we are to sail under sealed orders, and our destination is 
kept a profound secret. The men and officers are in good health 
and spirits, pleased with the idea of going again on an expedition, 
perhaps to Wilmington, Charleston, or the Rio Grande. We have 
done nothing yet ; the object of setting us afloat is not accom- 
plished ; our situation is interesting ; and uncertainty adds activity 
to rumor. 

The 81st and 98th, which had received no pay for six months, 
calmed their murmurs, and, on the morning of the 21st, cheerful- 
ly shouldered their knapsacks and took up the line of march to 
Morehead. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 121 

The 98th had then on its rolls about 650 men ; of them one 
hundred were in the different hospitals of the government. 

Naglee's division had embarked, and was ready to sail on the 
morning of the 2 2d ; but owing to delays in the arrival of trans- 
portation and to the roughness of the weather, the whole expedi- 
tion was not on transports before the morning of the 27th. On 
the evening of the 26th, Gen. Foster and staff came down from 
New Berne, and embarked at once. 

During the 26th and 27th the wind blew strong from the south 
and west. The entrance to the harbor is difficult at all times ; our 
larger vessels could pass the bar only at high tide. The channel is 
tortuous, and the shoals shifting; many of the steam-transports had 
sailing vessels in tow ; for these reasons it was deemed imprudent 
to sail by night in pleasant weather, or by day until the storm had 
subsided. 

Each transport carried a signal officer ; and every precaution was 
taken to guard against fire ; every provision made for accident or 
shipwreck. The fleet was ordered to keep together ; sailing dis- 
tance was prescribed to the vessels ; signals were established for 
distress or foundering, and small steam-tugs accompanied the ex- 
pedition to be employed in disembarking the troops, and in any 
case of accident or necessity. 

Regimental commanders were minutely instructed concerning 
the proper care and disposition of their men, and their attention 
was called to certain paragraphs in Army Regulations relating to 
troops on transports. They were directed in general orders how 
to land in presence of the enemy. Of the destination, the sealed 
orders to be opened opposite Wilmington would give them the 
requisite information. 

January 27th, the expedition is ready, waiting for propitious 
weather ; nothing is wanting, nothing omitted, nothing neglected. 
Twelve thousand men, forming in their equipment of arms, tools, 
stores, supplies, a complete corps or army, are thus embarked, in 
the middle of winter, waiting for clearer skies and calmer seas, to 
sail — not a dozen individuals in all the world knows where. There 
is romance in the idea of waiting thus, and sailing thus. There is 
uncertainty in a sea voyage at all times, notwithstanding the cor- 
rectness of our charts of the coast and the precision of modern nau- 
tical science. 

Let us sail. On the afternoon of Jan. 29th, 1863, Naglee's and 



122 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Ferry's divisions and two regiments of Wessel's leave Beaufort har- 
bor in about thirty vessels and steam-transports. Joy swells every 
heart; streamers, flags, and banners wave, the men shout and yell, 
the bands play, and Fort Macon thunders a parting salute. 

The Cahawba is the flag-ship, and we are on it again. The other 
transports follow the flag-ship, and, passing the bar, turn to the 
south. 

The storm was over; the waves, though high, were subsiding, 
and long lines of white foam lay along the shore. 

When it grew dark, the expedition presented one of the most 
charming sights we ever beheld at sea. Each vessel carried at its 
masthead a light, and their long line, following behind us, formed 
an illuminated avenue on the wild waste of waters. 

Off Cape Fear the secret instructions directed the vessels to ren- 
dezvous at Hilton Head, S. C, where we all arrived safely on the 
morning of the 31st. For a part of the voyage the wind was high, 
and the sea rough and dangerous. The woods and fields of the 
sea-islands appeared green and inviting; and the morning sun, with 
warm vernal glow, glittered on the azure dimples in Port Royal 
bay. 

The world is full of poetry — the air is living with its spirit ; and 
the waves dance to the music of its melodies, and sparkle in its 
brightness. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



123 



CHAPTER X. 



The Capture of Port Royal Harbor ~A Naval Depot and Rendezvous — A Site for a Southern 
Commercial Metropolis— The Cahawba — We land on Saint Helena Island, and encamp — 
The Sea-Islands — Soil-Productions — Planters — The Quarrel between Foster and Hunter — 
Naglee sent North— General O. S. Ferry — The troops reviewed by Hunter — Colonel 
Durkee resigns— His Character— The New Ironsides — The Lost Children— A Revision 
ordered of their Books, Papers and Rolls — The Character of the Organization — They are 
consolidated with the 47th New York Volunteers. 

THE trend of the coast of South Carolina is south-west, and the 
entrance to Port Royal harbor is between the Hunting islands 
on the east, and Hilton Head island on the west. This is the 
largest and best harbor on the South Atlantic coast. When cap- 
tured by Dupont and Sherman in November, 1861, its channel was 
protected by two large earth-works, mounting, in the aggregate, 
fifty heavy cannons. In these two forts, Fort Walker on Hilton 
Head, and Fort Beauregard on Philip's island, one of the Hunt- 
ing islands, were 1,700 South Carolinian troops. The Nationals 
captured the forts in three hours. All of the Confederate forces 
escaped. Commodore Tattnall fled with his mosquito fleet among 
the upper islands. 

The harbor was in 1863 a marine depot. On Bay Point, near 
old Fort Beauregard, was a naval shop, where a large number of 
workmen were employed, repairing iron and wooden vessels. 
There, also, two old whalers were beached for shops. The pro- 
tracted siege of Charleston made a repair shop necessary. 

Fort Walker, on Hilton Head, across the entrance from Bay 
Point, projects into the sea. Behind it the quartermaster's and 
commissary's, the ordnance and medical departments, had built 
long and capacious wooden store-houses. These contained all 
kinds of munitions of war ; powder, shot, shell, provisions, cloth- 
ing, camp-equipage, medicine ; and a line of supply ships running 



124 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



to New York kept the buildings full. A long pier and wharf was 
constructed out into the harbor, by which ocean steamers, like the 
Arago of the New York and Havre line, could lie and discharge 
their cargoes. 

The coal-yard was at Beaufort, twelve miles up the harbor. 
There also the quartermaster's department had put up, near the 
shore, a- steam condenser which manufactured from the salt waves 
of the Broad river, in twenty-four hours, five thousand gallons of 
fresh and palatable water. 

The New Ironsides and three men-of-war, our expeditionary 
fleet and a number of transports and supply-ships, gave the harbor 
a busy as well as interesting appearance. On this bay should have 
been built or founded a southern commercial metropolis; and some 
day, yet, we fancy, may spring up on one or several of these islands 
a city which shall absorb Charleston and Savannah. 

If our expedition had been made in more heroic and poetic 
times, it would already wear the morning hues which gild the 
voyages of the Argonauts and Homer's navigators, and the sirens 
hidden beneath the waves of the South Atlantic, would raise an 
Odyssey in its praise. 

Our log-book says of the flagship Cahawba : before the war, 
she ran between New York and New Orleans. While lying at the 
dock in the latter city, soon after the commencement of hostilities, 
she-was seized by a party of Texans, but was released, subsequently, 
by the Governor of Louisiana. She is one of the best and safest 
in the service of the Government, and is chartered to carry troops 
for eight hundred dollars a day. Estimated to carry fifteen 
hundred troops, eleven hundred fill up all the available space. 
Her cooking arrangements are ample : two large copper-cylinders 
in the forward pantry boil eighty gallons of coffee or cook five 
hundred pounds of meat at once. Connected with the boilers by 
steam-pipes they cook everything, soup, beans, rice, meat, coffee. 

She started on this voyage or expedition with thirty thousand 
rations, fifteen thousand gallons of water, and coal for twenty days. 
The rations were distributed to the men by details from the 
companies. They ate wherever they pleased. The officers ate at 
the 'ship's table the army food, and paid the steward one dollar 
a day. 

The troops remained on transports until the morning of the 9th 
of February, when they began to disembark ; by the evening of 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 25 

the nth every man had landed on Saint Helena island. The 
vessels anchored near shore ; the men went off in scows and surf- 
boats, and reached the land after wading in sand and water. In 
that way, having no wharf, it took all day to unload a vessel of 
its men, baggage, and stores. At night, the troops stacked arms in 
line of battle and lay down on the ground to sleep. 

In the morning, camping ground, near the shore, was assigned 
to the different regiments, in an old cotton plantation partly over- 
grown with live oak bushes, pines, and shrubs. The soldiers worked 
with energy ; the ax and shovel soon cleared the ground. The 
location was pleasant and healthy ; looking on and commanding all 
the bay. 

The men raised their tents a foot from the ground on a frame- 
work of poles. They dug wells, and tubed them with barrels, and 
cleared ground for dress-parade and drills. Cleanliness is next to 
godliness ; so they bathed frequently, washed their clothes, and 
burnished their equipments and arms. 

The engineers soon made a long wharf into the bay, and sutlers' 
schooners and supply ships were constantly discharging beside it. 
In less than a week our men and materiel covered all the shore. 

Saint Helena island is one of the thirty sea islands on this coast 
celebrated in commerce for their valuable cotton. It is sixteen 
miles long, and from one to three in width. The location is salu- 
brious; the soil of a light sandy character, and wonderfully fertile. 
The surface never rises more than fifteen feet above the sea. 
The island contained about three hundred plantations, which 
range from one hundred to three hundred acres. An acre is capable 
of producing from one hundred to three hundred pounds of cotton 
worth one dollar a pound. 

The planters never used plow or cultivator, but the slaves hoed 
the surface over. They lifted a heavy hoe up about as high as 
their heads, let it fall, and then drew it out horizontally. They 
set the cotton plants in rows four feet apart, one in a place. The 
plant disposes its branches like a distaff, and grows from three to 
five feet high. Besides a marsh pony, the planters kept a few pigs 
and poultry. 

At our advent, a number of people from the Northern states 
had come down and were leasing, working on shares or buying 
these plantations. The Old Man, Uncle Sam, even, by his agents, 
was raising cotton. His supervisors employed the slaves who were 



126 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



found here, to cultivate the land. The gross value of the amount 
raised this year exceeded seven thousand dollars. The productions 
are corn, cotton, and sweet potatoes. 

Much of the island formerly planted is now overgrown with 
reeds and bushes. The live oak, gnarled and crooked, springs in- 
digenous everywhere. The palmetto, the holly, the pine abound. 

The plantations were poorly worked before the war, and made 
indifferent returns. Their owners were, generally, in debt for the 
productions of the current year. They had no roads, fences, 
gardens, orchards or shrubbery. Their houses, always of wood, 
were poor, and built on piles. Everything indicated decay of 
enterprise, want of energy, industry and prosperity. 

The climate is mild and congenial; here are golden sunlight and 
balmy air. In winter is seldom hail or snow, and no high degree 
of heat in the summer. The fields are florid with unfading prime. 
The ocean rolls his tropical waves along the circling lines of its 
yellow coast ; the warm and equable climate clothes its forest with 
the eternal verdure of summer. The soil for the greater part 
high and dry, easy to till and extremely fertile, presents every in- 
ducement for the cultivator of the earth to settle here and enjoy 
the fruits of his labor without experiencing any of those drawbacks 
which check those living farther north where winter exhausts the 
productions of summer and autumn. 

Here as everywhere we have been, we notice the scarcity of fruit. 
Thickets of undergrowth approach the farm-houses ; in the edge of 
the thickets peach-trees, apricots, and fig-trees grow wild. 

The island from time immemorial has been owned in great part 
by the Fripp and Chapine families. They held many negroes, had 
some fine country residences, and seem, like the rest of the 
southern gentry, to have preferred ease and quiet to enterprise and 
innovation. As the families increased they divided their estates 
and tried to curtail their expenses. 

They were intensely hostile to the North ; the price of every » 
article they produced or consumed seemed fixed in a northern 
market ; and they readily persuaded themselves that their poverty 
and debts were the consequence of their paying tribute to the 
Yankees. 

The islands, all characteristically similar, have quiet and beautiful 
scenery, but nothing wild and striking. They everywhere present, 
at one glance, long trailing vines, tall trees hung with mossy 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 27 

tresses ; numerous rows of thick wild hedges ; endless stretches of 
fenceless roads, overarched by live oaks and close-set with pine and 
holly; large dwellings, lowly negro-huts and shanties. The gayest, 
brightest birds flash through the evergreen foliage and cheer the 
wildness with their songs. 

The expedition has added to the interest of the picture and 
given it a different expression ; for, now, on every hand, are 
tents and camps, a general and his staff, careless wandering troops 
of soldiers, full of mischief, seeking what new they can observe, or 
strolling they know not where or why. A hundred other objects^ 
of minor value figure on the landscape and grace the scene. 
Negroes carrying articles on their heads to camp, the bivouac of 
the picket, the patrols of the provost marshal, high piles of 
quarter-master's and commissary's stores, the transports and 
sailing craft in the harbor, and the flash from the glittering steel of 
men on drill and on the march. At night a thousand camp-fires 
cast their light against the sky, thousands on the ground spread 
their blankets for repose, and boat-lamps gleam from a hundred 
masts. Watchfulness and silence are here, security and repose. 

As we passed Charleston harbor, on the 31st of January, coming 
down, we heard the report of heavy guns. We afterwards learned 
that a Confederate ram ran out and attacked the blockading fleet, 
captured the Mercedita, and almost demolished the Keystone State. 
A severe fight took place ; thirteen shots went into or through the 
Keystone State, and killed forty-two of her officers and men. On 
the first of February, she came down to Port Royal and anchored 
near the Cahawba. One shot passed through both of her boilers, and 
many of her crew were scalded to death. Several men were killed 
while asleep in their hammocks ; the planking of the decks was 
torn up and the beams and ceiling were spattered with brains and 
blood. The shots from the Keystone State glanced from the ram 
with a loud, ringing noise. A sloop of war came to her rescue. 

On the same morning, the English screw steamer, Princess 
Royal, captured by our blockading squadron off Savannah, was 
brought in and anchored near us. This blockade-runner was a valua- 
ble prize. She was loaded with gunpowder, and munitions of war, 
with armor for iron-clads, and machinery for steel pointing shot. 

During the autumn of 1862, Gens. Halleck and Foster and 
Admiral Dupont had arranged a combined attack by land and sea 
against Charleston. Following out their plan, Naglee's brigade of 



128 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



the department of Virginia was directed to report to Foster ; and 
Foster thus reinforced was ordered by Halleck to leave North 
Carolina with the greater part of his, the 18th corps, and join the 
Admiral who collected and prepared his naval force during the 
winter in Port Royal bay. 

Upon the arrival of Foster's expedition at the designated place, 
the department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida was com- 
manded by Gen. David Hunter, of the regular army. Of the or- 
ders to Foster and Dupont, Hunter had received no instructions 
from Halleck. He was surprised, offended, and thought the move- 
ment intrusive. To take Charleston, it was true, he needed more 
troops, but to erect a separate command within his department was 
plainly an interference, was a mistake, was impossible. David 
was wroth, and his countenance fell. 

When he came, Dupont was not quite ready for the task of cap- 
turing Charleston. Siege guns were needed, and for those Foster 
returned to Fortress Monroe. Whereupon Hunter immediately 
assumed command of the troops of the 18th corps and incorpora- 
ted them with his own, the ioth. Naglee, left in command during 
Foster's absence, protested against such a "gobbling" up of his 
command, and dispatched a messenger to Fortress Monroe. Fos- 
ter, thus informed of Hunter's action, proceeded at once to Wash- 
ington, and obtained a stay of process against Hunter. Foster was 
unwilling to lose his veteran command, consisting of some of the 
best troops in the service. Halleck sent his assistant adjutant 
general, E. D. Townsend, down to investigate the cause of con- 
tention, and, if possible, pacify the conflicting generals. Hun- 
ter's order was revoked, and our forces were called, for distinction, 
the detachment of the 18th army corps. Hunter desired no re- 
conciliation, and a department within his own, or a general over 
himself were two conditions so incompatible with his notions of 
unity, dignity and efficiency, that he could not entertain either of 
them for a moment, with equanimity. 

Foster's staff left behind were impertinent and indiscreet. 
Hunter placed them in arrest, and soon after sent them out of the 
department. Foster never returned. Naglee was magnetic ; no 
dead man ever appeared more haggard, pale and wan. He had 
the hardest look of any man whom we ever saw. He may have 
been some star which from the ruined roof of shaken Olympus by 
mischance did fall. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



129 



Naglee being angry and quarrelsome took up the cudgel. He 
could fight with pen or sword, and the wordy warfare grew warm 
between the contending chiefs. We recall how Agamemnon and 
Achilles strove. Spicy was this correspondence. From Saint 
Helena to Hilton Head the dispatches flew thick and long. 

Forbearance ceased to be a virtue, and Hunter ordered Naglee, 
the life and soul of the expedition, to quit the department within 
twenty-four hours and go to New York city and report by letter to 
the Adjutant General of the army, at Washington. Accordingly 
he left the department, on the nth of March, and his incensed 
command never made any visible expression of their feelings. 

Gen. O. S. Ferry of Connecticut assumed command of the 
detachment. He was not a good officer. He had neither the 
courage, energy nor ability of Naglee. The command was never 
drilled, disciplined or paraded by him. It has been said, however, 
to his credit, that he made a tolerably good United States senator. 

Gen. Hunter reviewed the detachment twice while on the island. 
Ten or twenty people visiting the department from Boston, 
Philadelphia and New York city, the supervisors on the planta- 
tions, many officers of the ioth corps, and a number of female 
teachers scattered about on the different islands came to see us. 
The whole detachment was in fine condition, and appeared and 
manceuvered well. 

On those reviews Col. Durkee commanded the brigade, Lieut. 
Colonel Wead the 98th, and Gen. Heckman the division. 

Durkee was complimented for his soldierly appearance on horse- 
back. For Col. Wead's deportment on these reviews, the officers 
of the regiment subsequently requested his removal. 

Had Durkee remained in» the service he might have been 
promoted a brigadier within ninety days. March the 25th, he 
resigned and went home. His connection with the 98th was a 
failure. His promotions in the field never did himself or the 
regiment any good; they were unfortunate. 

His general conduct, his treatment and neglect of his men, 
caused him much trouble, disorganized his. command, deprived 
him of the respect of his inferiors and superiors, and finally cost 
him his commission. With no administrative ability, and no 
standing at headquarters, his regiment was always six and once 
nine months without pay. He gave but little attention to drill, 
discipline and military appearance, yet always fell into a towering 
9 



i3° 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



rage or furor over somebody when reprimanded for the clothing, 
equipments or drill of the regiment. He seldom or never paid a 
moment's attention to laying out his camp, constructing quarters 
for his men, establishing guards, or general police. Arming, 
equipping, clothing his men, keeping books, making rolls and 
returns, requisitions and reports, were as foreign to his business as 
making lunar observations or calculating the tides. When angry 
or displeased with any one on drill or review, he would turn black 
in the face as an African, ride at him on full charge, and, 
brandishing his sword, would swear like a pirate. That was about 
all the charging or manifestation of charging, fighting or manifesta- 
tion of fighting that he ever did. 

He had no taste for official business, and left no scrap or record 
relating to the administration of the regiment during the ten 
months of his command. 

Durkee was fond of having what he called a good time, and 
desired to be thought "gay and festive;" on occasions of convi- 
viality he very often showed his pleasure by a loud, explosive laugh. 
Dutch in his name, he was Dutch in his features, size and shape. 

At Harrison's landing, he and his confreres demoralized the 
command; disgraced himself and the service with their nightly 
wassail and ungodly glee. Good-natured and not wanting in 
ability, the service had many worse regimental commanders than 
he. Col. Dandy of the iooth N. Y. vols, was no better; Col. 
Comfort of the Independent Battalion was worse. Naglee dis- 
ciplined and showed his teeth at these officers, and their commands 
improved. 

On March ist, 1863, the 98th had on its rolls 608 men; seventy 
of these were absent without leave in the state of New York ; 
eighty were detached from the regiment sick or on duty in various 
places from Saint Helena to Albany; and the remainder, 458, were 
present. Capt. O. F. Miller being absent without proper authority 
since Jan. 13th, Col. Wead requested the Secretary of War to 
muster him out. 

Preparations for the expedition progressed slowly. At intervals, 
a new iron-clad made its appearance in the harbor, until they 
numbered eight, besides the New Ironsides. 

That vessel was made in 1862 at Philadelphia by Messrs. Merrick 
and Sons, and cost $780,000. Her tonnage was 3,486. She was 
propelled by a screw, had two horizontal engines and was barque- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 131 



rigged. Her bow was wrought iron, her hull wooden, but covered 
with four inch iron plating. She had sixteen port-holes through 
which looked as many eleven inch Dahlgren's guns ; on deck were 
two 200 pounder Parrotts and four 24 pounder howitzer. Her 
armament weighed 285,000 pounds. She was burned at Philadel- 
phia, accidentally, in 1866. 

Our men armed and equipped practiced daily in embarking and 
disembarking. They descended from the transports into surf-boats 
and, preserving file and line, landed in the shortest time prac- 
ticable. 

In the brigade is an anomalous organization composed of six 
companies, and called the Lost Children, Les Enfans Perdus, The 
Independent Battalion. It was recruited in New York city from 
more than twenty nationalities. In its ranks were spoken all the 
tongues, dialects and languages of modern Europe ; and its com- 
mander, Lieut. Col. Comfort, could speak to each man in his native 
words. Their returns and their reports were always irregular, im- 
perfect, and almost unintelligible. Every one had remarked their 
gibber, gabble and jabber. They had not been paid in nearly a 
year, and were at the point of breaking up. The officers and men 
messed together, and spent the time for the most part playing cards, 
drinking and wrangling. 

About the 20th of February we received an order to go arid 
overhaul their books, papers and rolls, to see what was the matter, 
and if possible straighten out their administrative affairs. We 
learned, after patient investigation, that a few of the companies 
had not been paid in nine months, and that all of them had more 
than eleven months' wages due. They had no regimental and 
company records. Their knowledge was in tradition rather than 
in books. Their rolls at first imperfectly made were preserved but 
in part ; and the writing on several of those they produced ex- 
ceeded in illegibility anything that Champollion deciphered on the 
monuments and tombs of Egypt. No paymaster would touch their 
rolls. 

We procured the regimental clerk of the 104th Penn., to assist 
the adjutant ; and two of our headquarter clerks worked with the 
company commanders on the pay rolls for Feb. 28th. We soon 
put them all right on paper. The battalion was mustered Feb. 
28th, and paid soon after to January 1st, 1863. 

Their uniform was a red cap with a yellow tassel, a fine dark 



I32 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

blue zouave suit trimmed with yellow, and they were armed with the 
sword bayonet and Belgian rifle. 

About the first of May, they were detached from our brigade 
and soon after became demoralized and disorderly. Later in 
the year, Gen. Gillmore broke up their organization, and consoli- 
dated them with the 47th N. Y. vols. Lieut. Col. Comfort went 
to Mexico to fight for Maximilian with Bazaine. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OFl86l. 1 33 



CHAPTER XI. 



Our Destination — The Troops destined for Charleston — We sail — The Gun-Boats — Iron Clads — 
The Return and the Departure of the 98th for North Carolina-The Sea Islands again-Beaufor t, 
S. C. — A Ride on the Shell Road — Nat. Hayward — The Freedman's Society — Gen. Saxton 
gets married — The Freedmen in Woolly Fold — The General Hospitals and their Inspec- 
tion — Mrs. General Lander — Sanitary — Post Duties — Captain Schadd and President 
Lincoln — The Fingall and the Hooking on Business— Col. Jim Montgomery — The Hugue- 
nots and one of their Old Forts — Folly Island, Vogdes, Gillmore — We sail and land on 
Folly — We sleep by Old Oc^an — Reconnoitering Folly. 



The isles of Greece ! The isles of Greece ! 

Where burning Sappho loved and sung ; 
Where grew the arts of war and peace 

Where Delos rose and Phoebus sprung, 
Eternal summer gilds them yet, 
But all except their sun is set. 



UR destination is no longer a secret. We speak of it publicly ; 



\J the Northern papers publish it, and the enemy understands it. 
Though philosophers assert that knowledge is progressive, that 
future generations will continue to make discoveries, yet we are 
going to attempt the capture of Charleston substantially the same 
as the English did in 1780. Fort Johnson, Fort Moultrie, Battery 
Bee, occupy revolutionary sites, and Hunter and Dupont, as did 
Clinton and Arbuthnot, rendezvous at Stono inlet and North 
Edisto. In short, Beaufort and the islands surrounding the city, 
were held by the British then, as we hold them now. Lincoln, 
Rutledge, Pinckney, Clinton, Cornwallis, are gone, but the fortifi- 
cations, the harbor, the city, the islands remain, and the siege of 
Charleston is renewed for 'other reasons and by another foe. 

As the month of March wore away, one by one the iron-clads 
left the harbor and steamed for Stono inlet. On the 23d the 100th 
regiment N. Y. was sent to take possession of Cole's island at the 




134 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



mouth of Stbno river, in order to make the naval station secure. 
The regiment, after picketing the island, encamped, near the 
martello mound which was raised at the entrance on the inlet in 
colonial times. 

On the 30th, General Hunter, in a confidential circular to the 
commanders, designated and organized the troops for the expedi- 
tion. Three divisions of infantry, a brigade of artillery, a light 
battery, a battalion of engineers, numbering in all over sixteen 
thousand men, comprised the expeditionary force Transports 
were assigned in orders to the different regiments. They should 
embark in the order named, and Heckman's division was last to 
go. On the morning of the 3d of April, we were required to 
furnish each soldier with sixty rounds of ammunition, four days' 
cooked rations, and to be ready to embark at a moment's notice. 
On the evening of the 4th, we were all on transports and anchored 
in the harbor. After dark a staff-officer boarded each vessel and 
gave sealed orders to its commander. These directed the expedi- 
tion to go to North Edisto, remain there on transports and await 
further orders. 

A little after daylight on the 5th, we sailed. Following the flag 
ship, we made Edisto bar at 1 p. M. , and, running in on a flood 
tide, anchored before sundown. 

The harbor, like Port Royal, is formed by several islands, and 
contained, on our arrival, a number of sutlers' schooners and 
supply vessels, and a few wooden gun-boats and mortar schooners 
to protect the transports. General Stevenson's brigade landed 
on Seabrook island. The remainder of the expedition, the trans- 
ports, iron-clads, gun-boats, went to Stono inlet, where the final 
preparations for the attack were made. 

Edisto was occupied for want of room at Stono; the former is 
twenty, the latter ten miles from Charleston by land. After dark, 
on the evening of the 5th, Col. Howell with his brigade and the 
100th N. Y. from Cole's island landed on the south end of Folly. 
With skirmishers in front, the troops felt their way up the island in 
the clear full moonlight, now sinking in water, marsh and sand, 
and now crowding through bushes and jungle thick enough to stop 
a rabbit. Two-thirds of the way up, where the island became a 
sand-bar, he halted his brigade ; but the 100th pressed forward to 
Lighthouse inlet, where the island is covered with a dense thicket 
again. On Folly island, or across the inlet on Morris island, no 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 35 

enemy was seen. The 67th Ohio joined these troops on the 
following day; no others on this expedition disembarked. 

On the morning of the 6th, the preparations for the attack were 
completed, and the eight iron-clads were ready in Stono. During 
the day they were towed by wooden gun-boats across Charleston 
bar, where they anchored in the swash channel opposite Morris 
island. Never since the world was created had the sea floated such 
a formidable armament. With the New Ironsides they number 
nine, and carry in all thirty guns. Nelson's flag-ship, the Victory, 
towering majestically with its three decks, bore one hundred 
cannons ; yet Nelson's fleet at Trafalgar or the Armada of Philip 
II. could not live an hour before these nine gun-boats. 

The attack was made on the fortification in the harbor, on the 
7th, in what manner and with what result history has written. 
The Keokuk was destroyed ; several of the other iron-clads were 
disabled : they were all withdrawn during the day, and the famous 
attack on Charleston by land and sea was abandoned. 

The Battle of the Iron-clads lasted about two hours. The rim 
of the harbor bristled with cannon. They received a concentrated 
fire from every fort that could bring a gun to bear, Sumter, 
Moultrie, Gregg, Johnson and Bee. The vessels fired one hundred 
shots, the forts 3,500. The water foamed and splashed and boiled 
around them, and the earth shook with the tremendous cannonade. 

The fleet, except the blockading vessels, retired ; the army, 
except the four regiments left on Folly island, returned generally 
to their old stations. On the nth, the second brigade of Heck- 
man's division landed at Beaufort and went into camp on the 
village green. The 9th New Jersey, the 23d Mass., the 81st and 
98th N. Y. vols., Heckman's old brigade, with their general, upon 
an urgent request for reinforcements from Gen. Foster, returned 
by order of General Hunter, to Morehead City, N. C. Arriving 
in North Carolina the regiments were stationed along the railroad 
from Morehead to New Berne. The following order made the 
assignment : 

Head Quarters, Dist. of Beaufort, \ 
North Carolina, April 25, 1863. J 

The following named officers are hereby appointed to the command of the 
several posts within the district : 

* •* * * * * * * * ■ 4 

Lieut. Col. Wead to the command of the posts of Newport Barracks, Have- 



i 3 6 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



lock, Croatan, Bogue sound block-house. They will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

By command of 

BRIG. GEN. HECKMAN, 

Commanding District. 

C. S. Emmerton, Lt. and acting aide de camp. 

The writer, as adjutant general of the 2d brigade, went to 
Beaufort and remained in the department of South Carolina, and 
participated in the subsequent attacks on Morris island and Fort 
Sumter by General Gillmore. 

The failure of the attempt to take Charleston by machinery pro- 
voked severe animadversions on General Hunter. The troops did 
not strike a blow or fire a gun. Charleston in point of strategy 
was weaker by land and stronger by water. The way to the city 
lay up Stono inlet, across James island to Wappoo creek. Gen. 
Seymour thought the way lay over Morris island, and importuned 
Hunter to allow him to take the island at night by assault. But 
Gillmore, when in possession of that island, could find no road 
leading to Charleston. Hunter preferred the way by Wappoo, his 
chief of artillery, that by Morris island; so this enterprise of great 
pitch and moment, through irresolution lost the name of action. 
Charleston was a hard nut to crack. 

Heckman's division on transports at Edisto, felt deeply mortified 
because it was kept so far away from the scene of operations. 
That our troops would enter the city none had the least doubt; 
but that the navy should be allowed to do all the fighting and take 
all the credit, we felt was neither wise nor just. In the afternoon, 
when the cannonading had ceased, we conjectured that the city had 
fallen. On the 8th we received a full account of the failure of the 
demonstration, and we heard the admirers of Hunter endeavor to 
fix the responsibility upon Dupont. Fifteen thousand veteran 
troops remained on transports during the Battle of the Iron-clads, 
because they had no general of sagacity and courage to lead them 
into the city. Fifteen thousand well disciplined troops sailed up 
and then sailed down again. The friends of Hunter prevailed, 
and Dupont was relieved of his command. 

Neither Hunter nor Seymour had the living courage necessary 
for such an enterprise. 

The thirty sea-islands, off the coast of Georgia and South Car- 
olina, are low and level. No mountains rise upon them, no rocky 
ledges outcrop along their shores. Unlike the ancient Sporades 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 137 

and Cyclades they have no poetry, no history, no mythology. 
Here are no Delos, no Patmos, no Scio, no Islands of the Blest. 
No heroes, no philosophers render them illustrious; and their poe- 
try and literature never charmed or enlightened the world. 
Along their shores no Lord of the Isles ever built his castle ; and 
there no chieftain marshaled his clans and ranked his files. Barren, 
rough and rocky, the Western Islands of Scotland have figured in 
English history and story; and Ossian and Scott have reflected and 
concentrated the everlasting sunlight of poetry and song where 

The shores of Mull on the eastward lay, 
And Ulva dark and Colon say, 
And all the group of islets gay, 
That guard famed Staffa round. 

Nevertheless, at Beaufort, the plan of Secession was formed ; 
there the first pledges were given, and from there was issued the 
first order to go in. For a long time it was the Newport of trie 
South, the resort of the Southern gentry. The location of Beau- 
fort is healthful and delightful, on Port Royal island, twelve miles 
from the sea, beside an arm of the Broad river. Looking east- 
erly, Paris island is on the right and Lady's island and St. Helena 
on the left. 

Before the war this place was the seat of wealth, fashion, refine- 
ment, and intelligence, and may have contained two thousand 
slaves and freemen. It had a custom-house, one hotel, several 
churches, and was noted for its splendid and capacious residences. 
An employe of the New York Tribune " once upon a time" at- 
tempted to establish a " branch house" here; but the inhabitants 
"rose and put him out." 

One wide street runs along the river bank, from which others 
lead perpendicularly back to a level plain called Beaufort Green, 
checkered with walks and shaded with live oak trees. 

On this green, Carolina's fairest daughters once took their even- 
ing walks ; there the elite of the South recreated in wit and social 
intercourse ; there the young chivalry paraded their horses and 
displayed their equestrian skill ; there the Rhetts, the Barnwells, 
the Haywards talked of politics, law and state rights ; and there, 
now, Naglee's old and battered brigade, the remnant of the 
Peninsular campaign and twenty battles, pitch their white tents 
and lounge idly in the live-oak shade. 



138 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

The wooden residences, (nearly all are of wood), large and com- 
modious, are built on posts or pillars, in southern style, with ve- 
randas, piazzas and porticoes. Around them the oleander, 
orange, live-oak, grow with spontaneous luxuriance. The yards 
are decorated with those flowers and shrubs which we cultivate 
with the greatest care. No vegetables were raised near the 
dwellings, and figs and peaches were the only fruit. 

The mornings in summer are close and sultry : in the afternoon 
the wind from the sea blows cool and refreshing, and is often ac- 
companied with thunder showers. The tide rises from five to 
eight feet, and at its ebb leaves a vast extent of marshy rice-land 
bare. A fine turnpike, called the Shell -road, runs from this place 
to the northern extremity of the island, where a dyke from each 
shore extends into the channel. The ends of the dyke were form- 
erly connected by a rope ferry. The island is twelve miles long, 
and of variable width. We picket the whole contour ; and the 
Confederates the mainland adjacent. In many respects, a drive 
on the Shell-road is not inferior to one in Central Park. 

With a party having a flag of truce, one day in June, we passed 
along this road to its extremity at the dykes called Port Royal 
ferry. The turnpike sometimes led through thick primitive 
woods ; the trees overarched the way, and were hung with long 
trailing moss and vines in blossom. Elsewhere, it passed 
through rich corn and cotton fields, and by old plantation houses 
built in the days of the colony. On all sides, innumerable birds 
with brilliant plumage sang from the boughs or fluttered and 
flashed through the foliage ; the air was redolent with the odor of 
a thousand nameless wild flowers j the sky blazed like a furnace, 
and the far-off bay and channels gleamed and disappeared through 
the long woody path-ways, or, in wide expanse before us, curled 
and dimpled in the western breeze. The gardens of the Hesperides 
had no scenery fairer, or brighftr or happier than we saw on that 
Shell-road ride. 

On our arrival at Beaufort, General Rufus Saxton commanded 
the post, and likewise sported the high-sounding title of civil and 
military governor of South Carolina. Saxton's headquarters were 
in "Nat Hayward's" house. 

"Nat" in his life-time was the princely gambler of the South. 
The park at Lyons is too small for the ground projection of his 
residence. In its capacious halls and rooms, in its gardens and 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 139 



corridors with "Nat" all things were free and easy ; and, as in a 
vast hotel, the guests passed without jostling, and felt at home. 
There, the fast, the great, the gay, the wealthy, the Calhouns, the 
Orrs, the Yulees, the Haynes, played late at cards and billiards, 
drank deep, and bet high ; and there the haughty brunettes of the 
South shook with hanging sleeves the little box and dice. But 
their game was long since up and their play out. The orderlies 
and staff-officers of Gens. Mitchell, Brannan and Saxton have suc- 
cessively rattled their spurs and clanked their swords in the de- 
serted halls. What shadows we are, what shadows we pursue ! 
How transitory pleasures, how unsubstantial honors ! Like flowers 
that bloom, exhale their odors and die, that glittering band has 
lived, flourished and expired. 

The department of the south contained the embodiment of all 
those ideas promulgated by the Freedman's Society of New Eng- 
land, the Humanitarians, the Gideonites. They sought to improve 
the condition of the negroes ; they employed them to work the 
deserted plantations, and established schools where Yankee girls 
taught the colored children how to read, while Colonel Hig- 
ginson of the ist South Carolina colored taught the men how to 
shoot. 

Here girls and women, lecturers, teachers, nurses, humanitarians, 
played with the shield of Mars, took off his greaves and gauntlets, 
and smoothed the wrinkled front of grim-visaged war. 

General Saxton, of the regular army, one of the heroes of Fort 
Pulaski, yielded to the winning smiles and captivating graces of a 
fair teacher from Pennsylvania. She was a beautiful blonde, 
young, intelligent and sprightly. On Saint Helena she kept a 
school of a dozen blacks or more, in the stately residence of a 
Fripp, whose plantation her brother worked. Twice or thrice a 
week, evening or morning often, for Saint Helena his light skiff 
skimmed the wave. School never lets out for him ; and, until the 
hours are over, beside her desk he sits, silent, angular, black and 
bald. The intonations of her voice charm him ; he admires the 
symmetry of her form, her blue-eyes and flaxen hair. Her undy- 
ing grace and loveliness cheered his walk through the primitive 
woods, and hallowed the old plantation house and grove. 

We have no talent for romance, we have no time for an idyl. 
This military history compels us to brevity. She closed her 
school at the end of the winter term, bought her wedding trousseau 



140 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

of Mrs. Knox, Fifth Avenue, New York city, for $1,147, and was 
married to General Saxton. 

Though Mrs. Saxton deserted the band of Gideon she did not 
forsake her philanthropy, but prevailed upon her sister to take her 
place in the school.. 

Several thousand negroes were quartered outside the town like 
sheep in " woolly fold." In the Freedmen's camp were the 
women, the children, the aged, and the infirm. The government 
supplied tents and rations, and the Freedmen's Society furnished 
them clothing. Their raiment was wonderful. The active zeal of 
the Freedmen's Society had sent them hats, shawls, and dresses, 
which once were splendid, perfectly lovely, perfectly charming, at 
Nahant and Saratoga. No cotton-jeans, no linsey-woolsey, no 
butternut was there ; but calico and muslin, alpaca and delaine, 
silk and satin, the cast-off clothing of all New England fluttered 
and rustled on their dusky forms. 

A few of them occupied the shanties and inferior houses of the 
village. Many of these evinced a disposition, like the Yankees, to 
trade and traffic. Printed on boards, nailed over their doors, the 
passer-by might read: " Pyes for Sail Here," " Resturant," 
" Fresh Bred," " Soljur's Home," " Soljur's Retreat," " The 
American Hotel." 

The department had five general hospitals in Beaufort. They 
were supplied with every comfort, and convenience, and necessary 
article that a patient or surgeon could desire. In them the 
wounded were few, but the sick with malarial fever were numerous. 
Each was complete in its organization under the charge of a skill- 
ful surgeon, and provided with competent nurses. 

These hospitals the author was directed to inspect and muster 
on the first of June. The surgeon, their assistants, and the nurses 
were required to appear and answer to their names. We passed 
through the wards and among the beds, saw each patient and 
checked his name, rank, company, organization and disease on the 
rolls. We wrote also for each hospital our observations concern- 
ing its supply of food, clothing, medicine, and its general conduct 
and management. Nowhere in the service did the sick have better 
treatment and more assiduous attention. 1 We feel like rising up to- 
day and calling those doctors and their assistants blessed, for their 
earnestness, activity, and constant devotion to duty. 

In each of the hospitals were one or more female nurses from the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



141 



North. At one time Mrs. Lander, formerly a Miss Davenport, an 
actress, had charge of the female nurses of the department. She 
was the widow of Gen. Lander, who died in March, 1862, from dis- 
ability received in the service, and her respect for him prompted 
her to sign her name " Mrs. General Lander." 

She treated her subordinates with arrogance, used her authority 
capriciously, removed the nurses from one hospital to another with- 
out any assignable reason, and often interfered with the manage- 
ment of the surgeons in charge. 

The department commander concluded, after a time, that male 
and female did not work harmoniously in the conduct of military 
hospitals ; the females were discharged, and the sick and wounded 
were left to the care of the surgeons and their male attendants. 

Although not engaged in active operation, the brigade was not 
permitted to remain idle on Beaufort Green during the months of 
May and June, 1863. Before our arrival the engineers had laid 
out extensive earth-works for the defense of the island on the 
mainland side. To work on these we were required to send daily 
four hundred men. 

The surgeon's reports for April and May exhibit the sanitary 
condition of the command ; but little more than two per centum 
were excused from duty on account of sickness. Exposed to the 
heat, working in the sand, during the month of June, a few cases 
of ophthalmia occurred among the troops. 

During the latter part of May, Col. Davis was placed in com- 
mand of the post of Beaufort, which he retained until he was 
ordered with the brigade to take part in the attack upon Charleston 
made by Gen. Gillmore in the month of July. 

The garrison of the island consisted of six thousand men, in- 
fantry, cavalry and artillery ; and the numerous returns, reports, 
requisitions and orders, made the duties of the adjutant general's 
office laborious. To simply issue or transmit an order was not 
enough; we were compelled to see that it was obeyed. If a detail 
was required for picket, guard or labor, it was not sufficient to 
make the requisition on the different subordinate commanders ; 
but it was necessary to see the men, verify the count and go with 
them and report. The weather became excessively warm, sultry, 
and oppressive ; and but little work could be done between the 
hours of ten and four. The aides-de-camp assist the com- 
mander ; the adjutant has charge of the office ; his clerks work 



142 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



under his directions, and the orderlies carry messages and written 
orders. 

About the first of June, a singular transaction was brought to the 
attention of the post commander. A quiet, clever gentleman held 
a captain's commission in a regiment of Pennsylvania militia. 
Capt. Schadd's military knowledge was limited, but he was atten- 
tive to duties. He was no politician, kept still, and when at home 
in Bucks county, spent his time working a farm and running a 
lime-kiln. The mail-boy, however, brought to his tent for reading 
matter, Col. Davis' paper, the Doylestown Democrat, and the New 
York Weekly World. He was, early in March, arraigned by his 
colonel on the broad and fatal charge of disloyalty. A petition to 
Gen. Hunter set forth the specifications and asked him to dismiss 
the captain from the service. Hunter, without examining the 
merits, issued an order and discharged him dishonorably. Schadd 
went home disgraced, but an account of the whole transaction had 
preceded him. His friends knew he was not disloyal. Four or 
five hundred of them assembled at the station to meet the train 
which bore him. They brought a barouche drawn by four white 
horses, and with the mayor and the aldermen were going to drive 
% him around the town, to show the difference between a traitor and 
a citizen opposed to the method of conducting the war. Schadd 
knew nothing of the barouche. He got off, at the station, on the 
other side, and, unobserved, struck across the fields to his farm 
and lime-kiln. Subsequently, accompanied by two or three of his 
more influential friends, he was induced to go to Washington and 
lay his case before President Lincoln. 

The president looked his papers over, heard him through, and 
gave him one half of a page of ordinary commercial note-paper, 
on which were written the following words : 

Executive Mansion, ) 
May 24, 1863./ 

I have examined the case of Captain Schadd, and though he may have been 
indiscreet, in the opinion of some, his conduct does not appear to have been 
treasonable. He will at once return to his regiment and company for duty. 

A. LINCOLN. 

With this little scrip of note-paper, the way was open to the 
bearer — quartermasters and provost-marshals let him pass. He 
returned to his company and regiment, and though he showed his 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 43 

colonel the scrip, he was arrested again. At this point of the pro- 
ceedings, the case was reported to Colonel Davis. He at once 
sent for Schadd and his colonel. They came ; Schadd bearing 
his scrip, carefully folded in his pocket-book. Bunyan's Pilgrim 
Christian, was not more careful of his roll. Davis ordered the im- 
mediate release and restoration to duty of the captain, and said : 
'•'The moment the President gave him that scrip, the charges and 
the order of General Hunter sunk together to the dust, and Schadd 
stood acquitted, reinstated, regenerated by the irresistible will of 
the Commander of the navies and armies of the United States." 

The colonel of the militia regiment, not able to see it yet, took 
the steamer in the afternoon to Hilton Head, and reported his 
version of the case to Gen. Hunter — reported all but a little writing, 
which he affected to consider of no account. In the morning 
Hunter telegraphed to Davis to send Capt. Schadd in arrest at once 
to his headquarters. The writer was directed to find the captain, 
place him in arrest, take the post steamer, and report with him to 
Gen. Hunter. He was also directed to see that the accused have 
then and there his scrip. We found Hunter working in his office 
with his adjutant general, Miles O'Reilly, Col. Halpine, late 
register for the city of New York. We stated generally the case, 
introduced the captain, and asked him to show the writing from the 
President. David's countenance fell while he ordered the release 
of the disgraced and dismissed officer, and Halpine said : — " What 
will these damned militia colonels do next? They make bigger 
fools of us than they are." "Tell Colonel Davis it's all right," 
said Hunter, "I only wish he had sent the case from the first to 
me." 

During the winter, the iron steamer Fingal, built at Clyde, 
Scotland, had been changed into a ram, in the harbor of Savannah, 
at the expense of the ladies of Georgia. They cut her down, 
covered her with heavy wrought iron plates, and constructed from 
her bow under the water an immense saw for the purpose of cutting 
chains, timbers and other naval obstructions. She was armed with 
four heavy Brooke's guns, and her crew were one hundred and 
sixty-three men. 

Watching this ram three of our monitors lay at the mouth of the 
Savannah river. The captain of the Atlanta informed his crew 
that he intended to go out and hook on to one of them and tow it 
up to the city. The monitors desired to prevent the ram from 



144 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



coming out and running a muck among our blockading fleet. 
They were not afraid of the hooking on and towing up business. 

For this purpose, on the morning of the 1 7th of June, the ram 
started. Two steamers loaded with ladies and gentlemen from 
Savannah kept at a safe distance behind to see the sport. As the 
ram turned in a bend of the river, the Wehawken, from behind a 
bank of trees and bushes, sent a fifteen inch shell, a four hundred 
and fifty pounder, which carried away the pilot-house and killed 
the pilot. The ram opened his ports and returned the fire. The 
contest lasted fifteen minutes. But eighteen shots were fired. One 
of the monitor's shots smashed through the sides of the ram, bent 
in the four inch iron plating, passed through eight inches of timber 
lining, killed one, wounded thirteen gunners, and passing outward 
on the other side, dropped into the water. The two steamers 
returned to Savannah, and the Atlanta was towed up to Port 
Royal harbor. The Government purchased and refitted the 
Atlanta, and, when the Army of the Potomac moved against Rich- 
mond in 1864, this ram was doing service on the James. 

Col. "Jim" Montgomery went, June 1st, up the Combahee with 
his negro regiment for the purpose of obtaining recruits. He had 
three armed steam ferry boats such as ply between New York and 
Brooklyn. Behind the railing around the boats, he constructed a 
breast-work of bales of hay and planking ; and on the bow and 
stern he placed a piece of light artillery. The raid was successful. 
He returned with over seven hundred negroes, men, women and 
children. From these he selected about one hundred for the 
service. When they landed from his boats and walked through 
the streets, they were the most abject, most ragged, most singular 
crowd of human beings that the sun ever beheld. They carried 
children, bedding, clothing, dogs, chickens, articles of furniture. 
All the conditions of human infirmity were there, the aged, the 
sick, the halt, the blind. While some had regular features and 
symmetrical forms, others had prognathous jaws and arms so long 
that they could stand erect and reach their ankles. Black, ragged 
and squalid, many of them appeared as if they had lain about in 
the sand and rice swamps for years. Jabbering Congo, hobbling, 
limping, rocking, shuffling along, no caricature, no scare-crow 
escaped from a cornfield, ever looked more grotesque and ludicrous. 

Montgomery skirmished over the country in the vicinity of 
Ashepo, burned several rice-mills, saw-mills, cotton-gins and thirty- 



FOUR YE APS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 45 



four dwelling-houses, and returned without the loss of a man. 
While " Jim " was raiding thus with steam-boats up the Combahee, 
the enemy was raiding about Chambersburg and Harper's Ferry, 
burning houses and canal-boats, carrying off farmers' horses, cattle 
and supplies. The raiding, marauding, blasting and burning, 
which South Carolina incited in Kansas and Missouri, are spreading 
over her own territory, and the ghost of Banquo rises and sits in 
Macbeth 's chair. 

Not only have the Huguenots, the Scotch-Irish and the Puritans 
impressed their broad postulates of civil and religious freedom 
upon the constitutions of our states, but they have cleared the 
forests, bridged the rivers, subdued the soil and founded the cities 
of the United States. 

By the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, France lost 
800,000 of her best subjects. To escape the fires of persecution 
many of them found their way to South Carolina and settled on 
the sea islands in the vicinity of Charleston, and along the Edisto 
and Congaree. Reminiscences of their times may be seen to-day ; 
fortifications, old and unique dwellings, martello mounds and 
shell-roads. 

We rode one day to the ruins of one of their old forts on the 
banks of the river, a few miles below Beaufort. It was built nearly 
two hundred years before. The walls were about two feet thick, 
and made of oyster shells and lime. We could trace the founda- 
tions and general outline of the work,*though the river in some 
places had undermined the walls and thrown them down. 

Built on a point of land, its shape was triangular, and its object 
was to cover the approach to the town from the river below. 

The walls of two houses constructed of the same material were 
standing near the shore. The whole was surrounded by a thick 
second growth of pines, several of which, eight or ten inches 
through, were standing within and about the walls. 

At the beginning of the rebellion, the Confederates commenced 
a fort on the old site, but never completed it or erected any guns. 
This old sea-coast defence, the work of pious hands, was interest- 
ing and suggestive to us. It recalled to mind those stern exiles 
from their country on account of their religious belief, and who 
sought and found here freedom to worship God. We thought of 
their trials and sufferings, their love of liberty, their heroic virtues, 
and of man's inhumanity to man. The rabbit burrows under the 
10 



146 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

walls of their ancient home; the black-bird and the mocking- bird 
sing from the trees that grow above it. Oblivion has flapped her 
dusky pinions over all they dared and endured, over their wrongs 
and their virtues, and we know not how they lived or how they 
died. No mark on the trees, no crumbling tombstone, in all the 
place around, gives the shadow of a name. 

While spending the time thus in our tents of ease at Beaufort, 
matters are not at a standstill on Folly island, nor are operations 
against Charleston abandoned entirely. Stephenson's brigade 
still remained at Seabrook, and the five regiments left in April on 
Coles and Folly have been reinforced by detachments of engineers? 
artillery and infantry. Gen. Vogdes was placed in command. 
Gen. Israel Vogdes was for a long time instructor of military 
science at West Point. 

Folly is seven miles long and from an eighth to one mile wide. 
On the west it is separated from James island by Folly river, deep 
and narrow. The Atlantic washes its eastern side. On the north 
Lighthouse inlet, about three hundred yards wide, divides it from 
Morris island. Folly had but one building, the Campbell house, 
on the Folly river. Nearly the whole island was covered with pine 
and holly trees, woven, matted, tangled with impenetrable bushes, 
briers, thorns and vines. The jungles of Central America or 
Brazil could not be more dense. With Folly for a base, Morris 
island at the north is the strategical point. We are to take Morris, 
and then shell the enemy out of Sumter and other forts, and thus 
take the doomed city. 

Vogdes picketed the island thoroughly, and then set his troops 
to cutting roads longitudinally and transversely. Along Light- 
house inlet, he placed Col. Dandy, of the 100th N. Y. vols, in 
command, with instructions to hold the head of the island. The 
1 ooth was raised from the sailors, the police prisons and the streets 
of Buffalo. Dandy also had two Wiard guns with a detail from 
the marine artillery to work them. The South Carolinian Durgan 
crossed the inlet one moonlight night with sixty men, scattered 
Dandy's pickets, killed one and captured another — all he could 
catch. Durgan returned unmolested. 

Vogdes constructed a strong battery at the south end of the 
island looking out on Stono river; at the Campbell house he 
erected another battery to command the Folly ; a mile from the 
head of the island where it is narrowest, he made a breastwork 
across the neck, and placed a redoubt at each end. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



T 47 



Gen. Gillmore arrived at Hilton Head and relieved Gen. Hunter, 
June 12, 1863. Gillmore's advent meant work. Hunter was 
administrative, and he turned over to his successor the best governed 
department in the Republic. 

Gillmore at once went up to Folly to see the situation. He 
rode to the head of the island, and, screened by the bushes, 
looked across upon the sand hills of Morris. The practiced eye 
of the hero of Fort Pulaski saw at once where to erect his batteries. 
Sumter stood dark and defiantly in the harbor at his left, and 
farther, five miles away, bathed in the ebbing sunlight of that 
summer evening was his great objective Charleston. Perhaps he 
recalled from Homer the lines repeated by Scipio on the hill near 
Carthage : 

The day shall come, that great avenging day 
Which Troy's proud glories in the dust shall lay. 

Not so, however, reads the story. Charleston by way of Morris 
island was a military impossibility. 

Gillmore immediately marked out his plan. He will approach 
Charleston by Folly and Morris islands. He commanded Vogdes 
to erect heavy batteries on the north end of Folly, under whose 
fire he could throw his infantry across the inlet and seize the 
opposite sand hills. 

Riding down the island that evening, Vogdes called his attention 
to the fortifications which he had already constructed, the heavy 
fort on the south end, and the breast-works midway up. "It is 
all very well, very nice," said Gillmore; "but to use them or 
make them of any service, General, we shall have to turn the 
island round." Vogdes felt mortified, and the privates and 
drummers soon learned the story. 

The task assigned to Vogdes was difficult ; he must erect his 
batteries within a few hundred yards of the enemy and conceal 
them from his knowledge. Additional troops were sent him, and, 
June 15th, he began the work. 

On that day, between nine and ten p. m., one thousand men, as 
guards and laborers, reported for duty at the head of the island. 
Daily at nine p. m , a new detail reported, and, day and night, 
under cover of trees and bushes, the work went on. 

The enemy had high signal towers from which he overlooked 
the land and the water for miles ; it was necessary, therefore, to 



• 



I48 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

send the men, teams and material, to the front by night, and the 
night became as the day. The enemy often opened fire to drive 
them away. He continued his fire for days and nights without 
provoking a response, though several of our men were wounded 
and killed. 

A fine fat, fodgel w'ght, 

Of stature short, but genius bright. 

Vogdes was short and stout, full of jokes, sensible and good 
natured ; without parade, pretension or ceremony, he stood con- 
stantly around among the men. The soldiers had an infinite 
number of ways of pronouncing his name : one said Vogly, 
another Vogges ; one Voges, another Vodges. — Coming along one 
day in his blue shirt sleeves, private's trousers, brogans and straw 
hat, he fell into an altercation with some soldiers who did not 
know him, and who were riding over a bad road on a wagon 
heavily loaded with rations. One of the party attacked Vogdes, 
who, after receiving a severe blow on the forehead, knocked his 
antagonist down. 

In twenty days, or on the 3d of July, the batteries were com- 
pleted ; forty-four guns and mortars were mounted, and the 
embrazures, magazines and splinter proofs were done. They 
supplied each gun and mortar with two hundred rounds. 

In the meantime, Gillmore came frequently to Beaufort. He 
would often go to the telegraph orifice at Hilton Head, call Davis 
to the one at Beaufort and maintain a military conversation by the 
hour. We were informed that when the batteries were ready, we 
should have a hand in the active operations around Charleston. 
We were directed, on the 25th, to close our official business, muster 
for pay, make out all our returns and reports for June 30th, 
promptly, and be prepared to sail at a moment's notice. 

On the 5th of July, a confidential note instructed Col. Davis to 
embark the 104th and 5 2d Penn. vols., the next morning, for 
Folly island, and report there to General Seymour in command. 
It directed him to go in light marching order, to take ten days' 
rations and one hundred rounds of cartridges per man, and to 
leave his tents, heavy baggage and sick behind. The note also 
required him to start at such a time that he would arrive at Folly 
after dark, and to disembark the men and send the transports 
away before daylight. Davis called in his detached companies and 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 49 

men, turned over the command of the post to Gen. Saxton, and 
steamed for Stono the 6th, at 3 p. m. Before daylight on the 7th 
his command landed on Folly and the transports were returning to 
Port Royal. 

Without stopping to sleep or rest, he marched up the island on 
the beach, for the tide was out. The beach of Folly, by which we 
mean that part of the shore that is washed by the tide or waves, 
alternately bare and covered, is from six to twelve rods wide, and 
for driving, riding, walking or bathing, is not surpassed at Cape 
May or Long Branch. 

After marching three or four miles, he turned into the woods, 
upon the shore, where the bushes were thick enough to strip the 
feathers from a partridge. There he halted the command to 
breakfast and rest. Spreading our blanket at the edge of the 
shore above the strand, we lay down on the ground to sleep. At 
nine, we were roused by the ocean breaking in full tide close by 
our couch. For breakfast, we drank a cup of coffee, and ate some 
hard bread and pork broiled on the coals. 

During the day, the horses, stores and baggage came up the 
road. In the afternoon we were escorted over the island by Col, 
Dandy, who politel} showed and explained the situation of things. 
All the troops were bivouacking in the woods and bushes, com- 
pletely hidden from view. The fortifications at the north end 
were formidable. They were concealed behind a fringe of trees, 
vines and bushes which had not yet been cut away. The ride 
was interesting, though the day was warm enough to roast a sala- 
mander. 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XII. 



The Attack on Charleston — Gillmore opens the Campaign, July 10th — A Catalogue of the 
Troops — A Feint up Stono on James Island — Landing at Night — The Lay of the Land in the 
Morning and the Advance — Our Duty — Line of Battle — The Pawnee — The Attack of the 
Enemy and his Repulse in Time for Breakfast — We have a Night March and return to 
Folly — Morris Island and the Palmetto — Gillmore crosses to Morris — The Attack on Fort 
Wagner, July 18th — Our Repulse and Loss — What the Troops say of it — We begin breaching 
Batteries on the 25th, and mount therein Mammoth Guns within fifteen Days — The Swamp 
Angels send Greek Fire into Charleston — Our arduous Duty — The Writer ordered to go to 
Fortress Monroe to be mustered out— Detained a few Weeks — August 24th he leaves for 
New York and Fortress Monroe — He reports at Newport Barracks, North Carolina Sept. 
6th, and receives the Congratulations of his Friends 

THE great majority of the North and of the South thought that 
the demonstration against Charleston was made for its de- 
struction or possession ; but many of those engaged in it wisely 
conjectured that the movement was for political effect ; so utterly 
impossible appeared the success of the enterprise in the way pro- 
posed. The people were anxious to capture the heart of the rebel- 
lion, and the navy and the engineers sought an opportunity to try 
their power and skill. 

The history of the world, says the great Schiller, is the world's 
tribunal ; but in these memoranda of ours we put no one on trial. 
Our story is a drama composed of several acts and scenes, from 
which the beginning and the end are torn off. We began at 
perplexities, and in our course we are constantly falling into new 
and fresh complications. Like the unraveling of society our history 
is a daily journal, ever referring to a continuation, and having no 
true beginning and no proper termination. 

Gen. Gillmore decided to open the campaign on the ioth of 
July, and for that purpose was disposing and dispatching all things. 
From the north end of Folly island he will attack with 
Vogdes' batteries the Confederates on the south of Morris. After 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 151 

dismantling their guns and driving them away, he proposes to land 
Gen. Strong's brigade of 2,500 men, and possess the island. At 
the same time he will send Gen. A. H. Terry with Stevenson's and 
Davis' brigades to James island, and make a feint against 
Charleston by way of Secessionville. This island lies west of 
Morris and Folly, and is separated from them by Folly river and 
two or three miles of narrow channels and marsh-lands, 

Stevenson's brigade, ordered from Seabrook, and Col. Mont- 
gomery's 2d South Carolina and Col. Shaw's 54th Mass., both 
negro regiments, ordered from Beaufort, arrived on the 9th, and 
landed on the south end of Folly. 

Auxiliary to this movement, Col. Higginson of the 1st South 
Carolina, negroes, and whom the historian Lossing calls Higgins, 
was sent on an expedition up the Edisto to burn the bridge of the 
Savannah and Charleston railroad over the Pon Pon river. Hig- 
ginson had two small transports and the ferry boat, John Adams, 
armed as Montgomery had it when he raided up the Combahee. 
He was repulsed a short distance above Wiltown by a six gun 
battery. 

Though he was compelled to burn one of his transports, and 
though he lost two guns and had a few of his men killed and 
wounded, yet he succeeded in carrying off nearly two hundred 
"Contrabands." This is the Higginson who since the war has 
been spending some of his time writing for The Independent, a 
quasi religious newspaper published in the city of New York. On 
the evening of the 8th, Davis' brigade marched from its bivouac 
near the centre of Folly to its southern end, and lay down on the 
beach to sleep. 

Towards evening of the 9th, General Strong placed his brigade 
upon lighters, rafts and surf-boats, on the Folly river near 
the Graham house, and made hr, way through narrow channels 
concealed by tall marsh-grass, towards the northern end of Folly, 
to be there ready to land on Morris island if the attack should 
prove successful. At the same time Stevenson's, Davis' and 
Montgomery's brigades leaving their baggage behind embarked 
again, and, just as the sun was setting, convoyed by one moniior, 
three wooden gun-boats and one mortar schooner, steamed up the" 
Stono for Stevens' landing, three or four miles distant, on James 
island. From Stevens' landing a causeway one-fourth of a mile 
long led over the marsh back to solid ground. 



152 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

Terry was directed to run up the river that night, seize and hold 
the dyke with Davis' brigade, and land the remainder of his troops 
in the early morning. 

The monitor and gun-boats shelled the woods and country 
around. It was dark before we arrived at the landing ; the tide 
was down and we knew nothing of the locality. There was no 
wharf, no dock, no plank. We had only two or three small boats 
in which to land a thousand men. The process was slow, disagree- 
able, dangerous and difficult. We jumped from the boats into mud 
and water a foot or two deep and floundered in the darkness to 
solid ground. 

The writer superintended the landing of the troops, and Terry 
and Davis put themselves at the head of the column and marched 
to a bridge at the farther end of the dyke. There, stopping and 
waiting for the troops to follow, they stirred up a rebel picket, who 
fired a volley across the bridge towards the advancing column. 
This was a surprise in the total darkness. Our troops behind re- 
turned the fire which swept across the bridge. Terry and his few 
companions, placed thus in a cross fire, cleared the bridge instan- 
taneously, jumping, falling, sliding, slipping down the sides of the 
dyke into the mud and water. Fortunately no one was injured, and 
what might have been a stampede among older troops terminated 
in a few moments. 

After the troops had reached the solid land, we threw out a 
strong picket in front, and lay down on the ground to sleep. The 
night passed quietly ; in the morning no enemy appeared. 

Before the sunlight streaked the east, we were on the march with 
sharp-shooters and skirmishers in front. The other brigades 
hastened up the causeway, and, after passing the bridge, moved 
close behind us in solid column. When a half mile out, we sur- 
prised a few cavalry vedettes, in a pine wood, who galloped away 
to give notice of our approach. In their haste they left behind 
their tin cups and wooden paddles, their warm breakfast of beef 
and rice. For some distance, our road lay through an open pine 
wood, skirted on the right by a canal-like channel, on the left by 
an open field a hundred rods wide, bordered by the Stono. This 
was the ground where Hunter and Benham encamped in 1862 ; and 
before us were the scenery and the battle field of their disjointed 
and disastrous movement against Secessionville. 

A mile from the dyke the timber ended ; and from right to left, 




DEFENSES OF CHARLESTON. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



153 



from channel to Stono, an old cotton-field overgrown with rank, 
tall weeds lay before us a mile or more wide, sloping to a low, 
marshy valley, then rising again towards Secessionville, in the 
front, two or three miles away. On our left flank are the gun-boats 
in the Stono; on our right are the marshes of jelly-like mud and 
semi-liquid clay which divide James from Coles island. Here, 
near an old house, the troops were halted, and a strong skirmish 
line was advanced beyond another house, a half-mile in front, 
which had been used by the enemy for a signal station. Standing 
here beside this last building, in the early gray of the morning, we 
could see Charleston, Secessionville, a hamlet of James island 
planters, Sullivans, Morris and Folly islands. Our tall signal 
tower on Folly, and that of the enemy at Secessionville, seemed to 
command the whole country so completely that a rabbit could not 
stir the thicket unobserved. At this place, a little before sunrise, 
we heard the sound of heavy cannonading at the head of Folly, and 
inferred that the attack on Morris had begun. We listened 
attentively, with interest and pleasure, and learned before mid-day 
that half of the island was in our possession. 

How sweet to stand, when tempests tear the main, 
On the firm cliff, and mark the seaman's toil ! 
Not that another's danger soothes the soul, 
But from such toil how sweet to feel secure. 

The object of our landing on James island was accomplished on 
the 10th of July; the diversion or feint misled the enemy, so that 
our forces captured the greater part of Morris with trifling loss. 
How long we shall stay is therefore uncertain. 

The forces of the department were then divided on three or 
four separate islands, contrary to the principles of military instruc- 
tion. The enemy may mass his troops and capture one after 
another the three divisions. True we draw forces from Morris, but 
the foe reinforced may crush us in a night. 

On the nth, necessary food and stores were brought to the 
landing, and details of men carried them to the camps. Our 
horses, a few tents and one battery were landed. The troops were 
moved further to the front, and their disposition changed. The 
island there was so narrow that Stevenson's and Montgomery's 
brigades formed two lines across it, and Davis' brigade in reserve, 
lay at right angles to them, in a fringe of wood at the right along 



154 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

the channel. The gun-boat Pawnee was in the Stono, a few rods 
in front of the left. From her position she could protect that 
flank and sweep the ground in front over which an attack must be 
made. 

Day and night, we maintained the keenest vigilance ; we neither 
slumbered nor slept. At our right, the channel was about fifty 
feet wide ; this once crossed a series of mud causeways and plank 
foot bridges led across the tide-washed, low, quaking, miry, 
bottom-land to Cole's island, a distance of four miles. The 
engineers bridged this channel near our camps ; for this route, 
only wide enough for two men to pass at a time, might be service- 
able in case of disaster or defeat. 

On the 13th, two spies were seen along an old hedge-row, lurking 
within our lines. They were suffered to escape and report the 
disposition of our men. 

On the afternoon of the 15th, with our glasses we observed long 
stacks of arms in the works at Secessionville. That evening our 
detail for picket was from the 54th Mass., a regiment never 
before at the front. During the night the enemy placed a battery 
of six pounders within a few hundred yards of the Pawnee, and 
massed a heavy force of infantry just arrived from Virginia near 
our skirmish line on the right. These dispositions Colonel Shaw 
and his negroes failed to observe from their advanced position on 
picket. 

Evenings and mornings and nights, we lay by our arms in line 
of battle; at mid-day we slept under the trees where the dun 
umbrage a hung. 

From the 10th to the 15th we had no change of raiment, no 
food, no coffee, but such as was cooked and brought from the 
landing a mile and a half away. We felt the keen demands of 
appetite; and on the 14th sent Lieut. McCoy to Folly to bring 
some food and our headquarter-traveling bags. 

In the star-light of the 15th, about 9 p.m., the writer collected 
some barrel staves, the remnants of Hunter's camps in 1862, laid 
them on the ground, spread the edge of his blanket along upon 
them, lay down upon it on the staves, and drew the remainder of 
the blanket over his head and feet, to keep away the mosquitoes. 
Davis, who had been through the Mexican war, slept without 
blanket, on the ground at the foot of a live-oak tree. Our horses 
under the next tree, "with stripped rein and slackened girth," 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OFl86l. 155 

ate from their nose bags the forage of oats and corn. The wind 
was laid, the air was warm and sultry, the stars twinkled through 
the trees and the rising tide rippled in the channel at our feet : 

Night, sable goddess, from her ebon throne, 

In rayless majesty, now stretches forth 

Her leaden sceptre o'er a slumbering world. 

Soon after 3 a. m. of the 16th, while the Pawnee lay with her bow 
on the shore, towards the rebel battery, they opened fire upon her 
with their six guns. Before the boat could bring her broad-side to 
bear, it was necessary to take out her kedge anchor, carry it to the 
opposite shore and warp the vessel. This once done, and her 
heavy guns brought to bear on the enemy, she would make quick 
work with his six pounders. The Pawnee was struck fifty times 
before she could swing round, but on her only one man was killed 
and three wounded. 

This was the signal to get under arms ; to arise, awake, or be 
forever fallen. The enemy advanced with his infantry simulta- 
neously; and our raw colored pickets could offer but little resist- 
ance. He advanced within six hundred yards of our position, and 
opened fire from his battery with solid shot upon our right in the 
wood. Under this fire our two lines of battle were formed : Ste- 
venson's brigade in front, and that of Davis' about two hundred 
yards behind. Our artillery was placed at the right of the front 
line. The foe had our range precisely, and his shot and shell flew 
thick and fast among us. 

What is the matter with the Pawnee? Why don't we hear the 
Pawnee's guns? Has the Pawnee been captured? Why don't 
she return the enemy's fire? Our position is becoming critical. 
The enemy is already on the ground covered by the Pawnee's 
guns. "Oh, that Blucher would come, or night," said Welling- 
ton. Just as it appeared that we could wait no longer, the thunder 
of a 100 pounder Parrott rolled over the fields, the woods and the 
channels. "That's the Pawnee," said every one, and the men 
shouted and yelled and laughed for joy. 

Had the enemy destroyed the gun-boat he would have captured 
our whole force. This was the decisive point, and accounts for 
our anxiety to hear the " notes of the Pawnee's guns." The moral 



156 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

effect of those 100 pounders was irresistible; and the shout we 
raised was perfectly terrible. 

During the evening of the 15th, Lieut. McCoy, headquarter 
clerk Redfield, three or four negro servants and the captain and 
hands of the armed ferry boat John Adams, had come up the 
channel on our right, after dark, unobserved by the enemy and 
unknown to us. They lay a little in advance of our right. McCoy 
had chartered this boat to bring our satchels and provisions. When 
the firing began, he beat to quarters and organized his force. A 
sick artillery-man got out of his bunk and superintended the loading 
and aiming ; the negroes passed up the ammunition, and Redfield 
and McCoy worked the gun. The boat had on her bow a 30 
pounder Parrott, and they fired it twelve times into the enemy's 
left-flank. 

The battle lasted about an hour, when the enemy retired with a 
loss of over two hundred men. He brought into this action from 
five to seven thousand. The Nationals had three thousand five 
hundred, and lost in the engagement less than fifty. The battle 
was over, the picket restored, and our men back to camp in time 
for breakfast. That day the writer rode a government horse 
captured in one of Naglee's raids from Yorktown, in King Wil- 
liam's county, Va. In him traces of the barb were plainly visible. 
His head was small, his neck thin, his crest firm and arched. As 
we approached him, the shells and balls were whizzing and whir- 
ring around; he neighed, opened. his nostrils, pricked forward his 
slender ears, and bent his neck with pride. Though never under 
fire before, he was perfectly cool and self-possessed. 

Although we have repulsed the enemy, Gillmore has decided 
to order us back to Folly island. The night of the 16th was fixed 
for our return. Davis' brigade, 104th, 5 2d Penna. and 56th N. Y., 
must return by the long, narrow, four-mile causeway, which 
stretches over the Serbonian bog to Cole's island. Vessels will 
arrive at Stevens' landing after dark, where the battery, baggage, 
horses and remainder of the troops will embark. 

The 5 2d was detailed for picket, and the 104th and 56th were 
directed to begin the march at 1 1 p. m., across the long and narrow 
way. This had been an old route for the planters, and led across 
deep, sluggish, canal-like channels, over marshes, swamps and 
bogs, on bridges, dykes and causeways, to the mouth of Stono. 
Over such a district as this Dante's journey lay, in the round of 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 157 

Malebolge, where from bridge to bridge, pier to pier, dyke to dyke, 
he passed, urging his conversation and his travel. 

The night was dark and rainy, and terrible with the incessant 
flash of lightning and the crash of thunder. At one o'clock, 
after seeing the last of the brigade en route on the dyke, we started 
with Col. Davis to relieve the picket. We rode to the front, 
drenched in rain, wet to the skin ; floundering in ditches, tangling 
in briars and thorns, picking our way by the flashes of lightning, 
we withdrew the line, post by post, and ordered the men to 
rendezvous at the head of the dyke. About 3 a. m., we began our 
slow, difficult, unpleasant march on the causeway; and, though 
the distance was but four miles, it was 7 a. m. before we arrived at 
Stono. The rear guard destroyed the bridges, but no enemy 
pursued. On the way, several of the men slipped from the cause- 
way and sank in the mud and water, from which they were 
extricated by their comrades. Two of the picket posts escaped 
our most careful search; but seeing, the line withdrawn in the 
morning, they made their way to the landing and embarked with 
the rear guard. 

Whoever marched along that route that night will remember the 
march and the night to his dying day. We ate our breakfast of 
coffee, pork and hard bread, at the base of the old martello tower, 
and lay down under the shade of a palmetto fanned by the ocean 
breeze, to sleep. In the afternoon, we crossed over to Folly 
again ; in the evening, we spent an hour plunging in the surf of 
the ocean, changed our raiment and lay down to sleep by the many 
waved sea. 

Thou art sounding on, thou Sea, 

For ever and the same; 
The ancient rocks still ring to thee, 

Whose billows nought can tame. 

While Terry was demonstrating as we have seen on James island, 
Generals Strong and Seymour had captured three fourths of Mor- 
ris. On the evening of the nth of July, their advance rested 
within musket range of Fort Wagner, three miles nearer Sumter; 
and their headquarters were at the Beacon House, the only building 
on the island. 

Looking towards the north, Morris is washed on the right.by the 
ocean, on the left it is separated from James by a long stretch of 



I58 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

alternating marshes and channels. At its northern extremity- 
stands battery Gregg, before which vessels entering Charleston 
harbor must pass. It is a long, narrow sand spit, destitute of 
timber and vegetation. The waves of the ocean often pass over 
its upper third, while below the wind has piled the sand in mounds 
and banks like snow-drifts. Two or three Palmettoes only grew 
upon it. This tree is peculiar to the West Indies and the Southern 
United States. It is found on the low sandy shores, and grows 
from twenty to forty feet high. The trunk is seldom more than 
ten inches through, has no branches, and terminates in a large 
tuft of long, narrow leaves. They usually stand in groups two, 
three or more together, apart from other trees, and give an Oriental 
appearance to the coast. 

Immediately after the possession of Morris, the guns at the head 
of Folly were moved across. They were mounted on a breast- 
work or parallel extending from the ocean to the marsh and 
within a mile and a half from Wagner. From this line another 
was constructed facing Sumter back along the marsh on the left of 
the island. 

Gillmore has decided that Wagner can not be taken by assault, 
but that a siege of greater or less duration is necessary. He 
presses the work so vigorously that by the 18th he has a hundred 
heavy guns and mortars in position. After bombarding and 
cannonading Wagner one whole day with riiese and the iron-clads 
under Admiral Dahlgren, he proposes to take it by a sudden 
attack. For this assault, he has designated the 18th, at the setting 
of the sun. 

On the evening of the 17th and the morning of the 18th, 
Stevenson's and Montgomery's brigades crossed to Morris, leaving 
Davis behind in command of the island. On the 18th, our 
brigade moved to within a mile of the head of the island where it 
is narrowest, at the breastworks, by a high signal tower, and 
encamped in the timber on the shore of the sea. 

From that signal tower, all day long, we could see a line of fire 
on Gillmore' s batteries, the iron-clads within the bar, and Fort 
Sumter all at work. 

When the sun went down the firing ceased, and the attacking 
columns under Strong and Seymour moved forward. 

The first, under Strong, with Col. Shaw and his 54th Mass. 
leading, moved towards Wagner at the left along the marsh, the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 159 

last half mile at the double quick, crossed the ditch, ascended the 
furrowed parapet and was hurled back broken and disorganized. 
It fell to the rear and disappeared in the circling gloom and outer 
darkness. Strong was mortally wounded ; Shaw and six hundred 
others were killed. 

Notwithstanding their repulse, the second column pressed for- 
ward, headed by Cols. Putnam, Vorhees, Steel, Dandy and others. 
They sweep, at the double-quick, the level ground covered by Wag- 
ner's guns, they fill the ditch, they ascend the parapet, they crowd 
into the broken sallyport, they fight with muskets, navy revolvers, 
bayonets, swords, hand-grenades. Terrible was the shouting and 
the clash of arms; dire was the carnage of that combat; no pen 
can describe, no pencil delineate its horrors. Our brave men 
continued this conflict for half an hour. No reinforcements filled 
the places of those who had fallen. The contest became every moment 
more unequal. They were forced to retire. In less than an hour, 
we had lost eighteen hundred men, killed, wounded and prisoners. 

They fought their way into the fort ; they fought their way out 
of it, and, without organization or order, returned to our lines 
again. 

The place where our troops formed was a mile from Wagner. 
From there they advanced up the beach in deployed regimental 
lines. As they approached, the enemy changed his shot and shell 
to grape, canister and musketry. The fort appeared like a 
volcano. 

The magnitude of this defeat crushed out much of the respect and - 
confidence which our troops had entertained for Gen. Gillmore. 
" Evidently, said many, somebody is to blame, the whole affair 
was a blunder. The signalling was bad : the Iron-clads kept 
firing while our men were ascending the parapet. Again Gill- 
more's calculations have failed. Wagner cannot be taken by 
assault ; its reduction will require a protracted siege. ' ' 

On the 25th, Gillmore began the erection of a series of breach- 
ing batteries, intended for Sumter. They were made by a regi- 
ment of New York engineers and were furnished with the heaviest 
cannon used in the service, such as 300 pounders, 200 pounders, 
100 pounder Parrotts, and 84 pounder Whitworth guns. He de- 
termined to mount a 200 pounder Parrott out in the 1 marsh, 
towards James island, about a mile from Morris. To that point the 
engineers corduroyed and bridged a road, along which they carried 



l6o NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

piles, timber, sand-bags and ammunition. The immense gun was 
placed on a pine raft and floated to the battery through a tortuous 
channel. Sergeant Felter, from central New York, called this gun 
the Swamp Angel, a name borrowed from the literature of Jemima 
Wilkinson. 

In fifteen days the gun was mounted; and Gillmore sent a sum- 
mons to Beauregard demanding the surrender of Fort Sumter and 
Morris island ! ! 




By elevating the range of the Swamp Angel 35 degrees, it could 
throw shells into Charleston, a distance of about five miles. At 
the thirty-sixth discharge the gun itself exploded. A few of its 
shells fell harmlessly in the city where the rebellion was planned. 
This the Northern papers said was throwing Greek Fire. The 
Swamp Angel was a big humbug, and Gillmore's operations were 
of no military consequence. On the 6th of September he captured 
Morris island ; but neither Sumter nor Charleston fell until Sher- 
man marched up from the sea. 

The breaching batteries were between three and four thousand 
yards from Sumter, and on Aug. 24th, Gen. Gillmore reported its 
practical demolition, saying that it was a shapeless and harmless 
mass of ruins. Yet excepting its barbette guns, Sumter stood 
there as defiantly as ever. 

All this time the duty of the troops was of the most laborious 
and exhaustive character. They cut and hauled wood and timber 
from Folly for batteries, magazines, stockades, roads. They filled 
and transported sand-bags, cut poles and withes for gabions and 
flying saps, and, day and night, lay under arms in the broiling 
sand. Add to this, that every few days some one would get up a 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. l6l 



big scare, when all would go over to Morris and march and 
counter-march among the sand-hills. 

About August i, the department was reinforced by a portion of 
the nth corps from Gettysburg. They encamped on Folly, and 
were immediately set to work furnishing details for the trenches 
on Morris, felling timber, transporting logs to Lighthouse inlet, 
and, generally, expiating in the burning sand and tropical sun, 
their lack of courage, their bad conduct at that sanguinary 
battle. 

On the 20th of July, we received an order from the Adjutant 
General at Washington, stating that the 98th N. Y. had been con- 
solidated, and directing us to report to Maj. Gen. Foster at 
Fortress Monroe, to be mustered out. A change came over the 
spirit of our dream. 

As the service of every man was needed in the Department, and 
as the duties of adjutant general were understood by few, Col. Davis 
obtained permission of Gen. Gillmore to withhold the order for 
a short time. Accordingly, we remained until the 24th of August, 
when the operations of the siege had settled down into artillery 
duels, when the warm weather had in part compelled the suspension 
of military labor, and when the necessity for our services had in a 
measure passed. We therefore asked to be relieved ; and, on the 
24th, handed the port-folio of our office to Major Rogers, 104th 
Penn., and left the department for New York in the steamer Arago. 

After stopping off Charleston bar for the mail, the steamer took 
the gulf stream, which she kept until north of Cape Hatteras. 
We had a fine, pleasant voyage. The weather was delightfully 
agreeable, the passengers few, the sea calm, and a light wind 
redolent from the land breathed sweetly, like 

" Sabsean odors from the spicy shore 
Of Arabie the blest." 

We arrived in New York on the 27th, making the distance in less 
than sixty hours. 

On the afternoon of the 28th, we embarked for Fortress Monroe 
on the propeller Dudley Buck. 

Stopping at the Fortress, we learned of Gen. Foster that the 
98th had been restored to its original organization. He directed 
us to report for duty to Gen. Peck at New Berne, from whom we 
would receive orders to return to our regiment. 
1 1 

1 



l62 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



On the 5th of Sept., we arrived at New Berne, having taken the 
inside route by way of Norfolk, Elizabeth river, the Chesapeake 
and Albemarle canal, Roanoke island and Pamlico sound. For 
September this was a splendid trip. We had neither seen nor con- 
ceived anything like it before. 

From New Berne to Newport barracks we took the Atlantic and 
North Carolina railroad, on the afternoon of the 6th, and in the 
evening reported for duty to Lieut. Col. Wead, and received the 
congratulation of our friends. 

"And though they questioned me the story of my life, it was 
not my hint to speak of cannibals that eat each other, nor of men 
whose heads do grow beneath their shoulders, but rather of battles, 
sieges, fortunes I had passed, of most disastrous chances, of moving 
accidents by flood and field, of hair-breadth escapes in the imminent 
deadly breach.' r 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



163 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Carteret County — Our new Field of Duty — A Statement of the Officers of the Regiment — Col. 
Wead makes a Statement — The Consolidation — Officers discharged — The Organization 
of Heckman's Flying Division — The 98th ordered to Pungo— Duty, Times and Incidents 
at Pungo — The Great Dismal Swamp, and the surrounding Country — Guerrillas — Old 
Sykes — The Regiment re-enlists — The Veterans go North, and the Author left in com- 
mand at Pungo — Troops ordered to report to him — The Enemy makes a Raid — The 
Detachments of the 98th and 96th ordered to Norfolk, and thence to Yorktown — Arrival 
at Yorktown — Re-fitting, re-organizing, re-arming, — The Promotions — Futile Effort to 
promote the Author — The Organization of the Army of the James — The Color Guard — 
Religious Services in the 81st — Butler sees his Expedition round Old Point Comfort — 
Our Bark is on the Wave. 

THE order assigning the 98th to duty along the Atlantic and 
North Carolina railroad between New Berne and Morehead 
City, has been recited in a former chapter of this work. Besides 
guarding the railroad, it had a general supervision over passes, 
permits and the turpentine trade. The field of operations lay within 
Carteret county. The posts of the enemy were in Onslow and Jones 
counties, distant from twenty to thirty miles. 

Carteret was named after Sir George Carteret, one of the origi- 
nal Lords Proprietors, who owned at one time nearly all of the 
state of North Carolina. He was counselor of state for Charles 
II., and as a cotemporary says, "was ignorant, passionate, and 
not too honest." His son John retained his portion of the sover- 
eignty of the state when the other proprietors surrendered to the 
crown in 1729. 

This county has the honor of containing the first land, (Cape 
Lookout), discovered by the adventurers to the United States. 

In i860 its population was 8,186 ; in 1870, 8,940, and its total 
valuation was $1,288,994. The latter census states that in 1870 it 
produced 150 bushels of spring wheat, 1,487 bushels of winter 
wheat, 32,360 bushels of corn, 165 bushels of oats, 210 bushels of 



164 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

rice, 774 bales of cotton, 60 bushels of potatoes, 58,715 bushels of 
sweet potatoes, and 50 pounds of wool. 

The writer was assigned to the command of two posts, one at 
a point where the railroad crosses the Newport river, called 
Havelock, and the other at Croatan, ten miles above, along the 
road towards New Berne. Each post had a small earthwork in 
which was mounted one Napoleon gun. We passed the time drill- 
ing, scouting over the country and resting in ease and quiet. Our 
scouts penetrated to Onslow, Palo Alto and Pollockville, through 
devious paths, in turpentine groves and primitive woods. 

In this section the Union sentiment was not positive; none but 
the women, the old and infirm men remained. Everywhere the 
woods were gaining on the cleared lands. The fields and the 
gardens were growing into thickets, and the youth into ignorance 
and imbecility. The girls had light hair, light blue eyes, their 
stature slim and small ; and in the houses as well as in the fields 
many a garden flower grew wild. 

Rest and quiet are often destructive of military discipline ; so 
the officers of the regiment having no enemy here to fight set to 
fighting among themselves. They desired to* get rid of Colonel 
Wead, and for that purpose staked all upon a single throw. They 
drew up a "statement," in which they related their objections and 
grievances, and sent it by Wead to Gen. Foster. It was couched 
in respectful terms, and narrated first the services of the regiment, 
and then represented that since " Lt. Col. Wead had been fairly 
and candidly tried in the capacity of commanding officer, and had 
been found, and was believed to be, mentally and physically, in- 
capable of exercising responsibilities so high and holding a trust 
so important; that in many instances the officers and men of the 
regiment had been reprimanded and censured in consequence of 
his incompetency ; that at a review of troops on St. Helena island, 
he became so excited and bewildered as to commit blunders which 
called from the New York Press a criticism reflecting disgrace and 
discredit upon the officers and men of the regiment ; that in con- 
sequence of physical weakness he was on the slightest indisposition 
incapacitated for performing even the duties of camp life; that any 
excitement or sudden responsibility so ' bewilders ' him that we 
consider him incompetent and unsafe as a commanding officer." 
They further said, " that his appointment was procured by Gen. 
Slocum and other outside political influences ; that he was not 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 65 

identified with the regiment, and that he wanted the respect and 
confidence of his men." 

They charged him with absence and neglect of duty, and 
alleged that the regiment was becoming disheartened and demoral- 
ized ; and, finally, asked that he be compelled to resign in view of 
all the facts and in justice to the service. 

The communication was dated May 30th, 1863, and signed by 
the following officers, all but five or six of the regiment: 

Captains Wood, Willard, Barney, Andrus, Miller, Williams, 
Adams; Lieutenants, L. A. Rogers, Austin, Doty, Stanton, Davis, 
Hildreth, Allen, Mullholland, Wm. H. Rogers ; Second Lieuten- 
ants, Wells, Russell, Gile, Phelps, Beaman, Booth, Hickok ; and 
by E. Ho Hobbs, adjutant, and Geo. P. Case quartermaster. 

Wead sent forward the statement after endorsing thereon, first, 
his denial of the charge of being an intruder by his own 
motion ; second, that he had impaired his health to improve the 
regiment — saying that he found it defective in drill, poorly clad, 
ill armed and equipped, and mutinous in discipline ; third, that he 
had provoked the opposition, ill-will and insubordinate spirit of 
dissatisfaction, by his reformatory and disciplinary measures; and 
finally, "in view of these facts," he called for an investigation 
and tendered his resignation. 

The case was thus submitted. Gen. Foster required the number 
of men in the regiment. Wead reported 421 total; the officers 
and men present and absent were really 630. 

At Wead's figures the regiment could be consolidated into a 
battalion under General Order 86 from the War Department, 1863. 
Without an investigation or a hearing of the officers, Foster sent 
down his commissary of musters, Lieut. Horton, to assist in making 
the consolidation and to muster out the supernumerary officers. 

Accordingly, on the 31st of May, the following officers were 
discharged : Captains Barney, Willard, Andrus, Williams, Adams ; 
Lieuts. Austin, Hobbs, Doty, Mullholland ; Sec'd Lieut. Russell. 

The service had no more competent, intelligent, efficient and 
conscientious officers than these. The injustice of Foster was 
flagrant. He thought he was imitating Frederick the Great in 
discipline while putting the iron heel of his authority on a few 
officers who had candidly, respectfully, represented their grievances 
to him. Gen. Peck, in an interview with the writer, said that in 
his view Gen. Foster perpetrated an outrage on the officers of the 



i66 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



98th, unprecedented in the history of our volunteer service. "I 
knew Captains Williams and Adams/' said he; "there are no 
better men ; they would not do a wrong thing. 

By this change the regiment lost above fifty of its best men ; 
all the supernumerary sergeants and corporals were mustered out. 

In life we all pocket many wrongs and disgraces which, may be, 
we have neither the inclination nor the ability to redress ; we also 
suppress and pocket many wrongs, without confession or reparation, 
which we have done to others. The world jogs on. Who takes ac- 
count of these, who rights the wrongs? 

It never appeared why the writer, without a hearing, (absent in 
another department,) was included in the list proscribed. Jefferys 
in his bloody assizes, and Rhadamanthus in his court below, always 
required the criminal's presence, and accorded him, pro forma, a 
chance to plead. 

Capt. Wood sent in his resignation May 2d, and about the same 
time Capt. Miller's discharge was issued from the War Department. 
John H. Haskell and Archie Hollenback, 2d lieut's., were dis- 
charged April 16, 1863. — April 25th, Lieut Amos S. Kimball was 
sent by order of Gen. Foster to Roanoke island to act as quarter- 
master and take charge of the government stores. April 7th, 1864, 
Lieut. Kimball was appointed by the President, assistant quarter- 
master with the rank of captain. From that date his connection 
with the regiment ceased. He subsequently received the commis- 
sion of brevet lieut. col. of N. Y. vols. During the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1863, Lieuts. Wood, Barney and Andrus had been promoted 
captains, and the following 2d Lieutenants, were promoted lieuten- 
ants, Hildreth, Doty and Davis. Lieut. Wm. B. Rudd resigned 
before the regiment left Yorktown. 

Capt. C. W. Crary, discharged at Yorktown Nov. 15, 1862, and 
re-commissioned Assistant Surgeon, was mustered out at the con- 
solidation. Dr. Crary subsequently became surgeon of the 185th 
N. Y. vols, and brevet lieut. col. N. Y. vols. 

The 98th remained along the railroad until October 18th, when 
it embarked at Morehead and proceeded to Fortress Monroe. 
Gen. Heckman was then organizing a flying division at Newport 
News, and we were directed to report to him at that place. Land- 
ing there and going into camp, we spent the time drilling and re- 
fitting until Nov. 17, when we embarked again and landed the same 
day at Norfolk. Bivouacking that night in a lumber yard in the 
.city of Norfolk, we marched the next day to Great Bridge, on the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



167 



Chesapeake and Albemarle canal. On the evening of the 18th, 
we went on barges and were towed up the canal to Pungo landing, 
in Princess Ann county. 

There we landed and went into camp the following day, and 
began to construct winter quarters. The government had erected 
North Carolina and south-eastern Virginia into one department. 
It designed to keep the canal open, and maintain inside communi- 
cation between the two states. Our business was to govern, watch 
and guard the surrounding country, and protect the canal from the 
raids and depredations of guerrilla parties. 

The 96th N. Y. vols, went farther on to Coinjock, and the 
139th N. Y. vols, remained at Great Bridge; the 8ist N. Y. vols, 
was sent to Hickory Ground at the edge of the Dismal Swamp, 
and a portion of the 5th Penna. cavalry was stationed at Deep 
creek, the northern terminus of the Dismal Swamp canal. So the 
curtain rises and the scene is changed. 

Norfolk and Portsmouth stand about ten miles south of Hamp- 
ton Roads, on the opposite shores of Elizabeth river, where its 
eastern and southern arms unite. Ascending the winding and 
sluggish southern branch fifteen miles to Great Bridge, we next 
pass through a canal nine miles long into the North River, thence 
descending the North River twelve miles, we arrive at Pungo 
bridge or ferry. The travel and trade in times of peace from 
Princess Anne to North Carolina crossed at Pungo on a flying ferry. 

Our camp was on the eastern bank, on the farm of Harper Ackiss, 
whose ancestors figured in the Revolutionary history of Norfolk. . 
Porte Crayon in Harper's Magazine has given a penciling of this 
crossing. At this Harper Ackiss was highly offended, because 
Torte represented him standing on the little wharf, decorated with 
an immense pair of ear-rings. Mr. Ackiss was one of the most 
wealthy farmers of that vicinity ; our camp included his house and 
garden, and extended to the river. We marked out and cleared 
off the ground, and began at once the construction of log-houses 
for winter. 

Besides the regimental guard which surrounded the camp, we 
placed a sentinel at the wharf and covered the approaches to our 
position at the distance of a mile or more with patrols and pickets. 
We allowed the inhabitants to pass freely in and out with fish, 
eggs, milk and meat, and protected them in their trade with the 
soldiers. Later, a detail from the regiment took the census of the 



i68 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



county, and our adjutant as provost marshal, administered to those 
who were willing to take it, the oath of allegiance. 

The position was thirty miles from Norfolk, Cape Henry and 
Coinjock, and a little more than fifteen from the eastern edge of 
the great Dismal Swamp. The opposite shore of the river for a 
mile or two back is a low, grass-covered swamp, on which it is 
impossible for men or animals to travel. Beyond this is a ridge 
of arable ground, and west of the ridge lies the great swamp. 
Norfolk county is west of the North River, and includes the greater 
part of the Dismal Swamp. In short, its whole surface is composed 
of marshes, bogs, swamps, ridges and swamp islands, intersected by 
numerous slow, deep, brackish creeks. The cypress, maple, juni- 
per, pinej cedar, stand for the whole year in water. These trees 
are tangled with an under-growth of reeds, wood-bines, grape- 
vines, mosses, creepers, twisted, woven, interlaced and intertwined. 
The waters of the rivers and the creeks, oozing for half a year, 
around roots and logs, is dark as cider, and not unpleasant to the 
taste. The swamp is more elevated than the surrounding country, 
and from its fountains the rivers on every side are fed. The water 
issuing from a thousand springs near its centre, flows over the sur- 
face and inundates the whole country in its way to the ocean. 
Generally the bottom is solid, though covered with water from a 
few inches to two or three feet ; near the centre this stratum of 
clay ends, and the swamp becomes a bed of quicksand, boggy and 
impassible. 

It was once a favorite hunting ground of the Indians, and 
arrow-heads, hatchets and knives are frequently found there ; and, 
to-day, deer, wild turkeys and bears abound. This swamp and 
Lake Drummond which it surrounds, has furnished the scenery for 
many a story of thrilling interest. To its ridges and swamp islands 
the patriots retreated when driven from Norfolk in 1775; in it 
bands of thieves and robbers have made their homes and dens, and 
to its recesses, as to an asylum, the fugitives from the surrounding 
country have at all times fled. The reader will recall the poetical 
effusion of Moore : 

They made her a grave too cold and damp 

For a soul so warm and true ; 
And she's gone to the lake of the Dismal Swamp 
Where, all night long, by a fire-fly lamp, 

She paddles her white canoe. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 69 



Away to the Dismal Swamp he speeds, 

His path was rugged and sore, 
Through tangled juniper, beds of reeds, 
Through many a fen where the serpent feeds, 

And man never trod before ! 

And near him the she- wolf stirred the brake, 
And the copper-snake breathed in his ear, 
Till he starting cried, from his dream awake : 
" Oh, when shall I see the dusky lake 
And the white canoe of my dear?" 

But oft from the Indian hunter's camp, 

This lover and maid so true, 
Are seen at the hour of midnight damp, 
To cross the lake by a fire-fly lamp, 
And paddle their white canoe. 

Before the war immense quantities of shingles and juniper lumber 
were obtained from the swamp; the business furnished employment 
for many negroes who resided in little huts or cabins in its re- 
cesses. The lumber was brought out of the swamp on long, nar- 
row lighters, through ditches cut for the purpose, or it was carted 
out by mules on roads made of poles. The laborers carried the 
lumber from the trees to the roads and ditches on their heads and 
shoulders. The Dismal Swamp canal passes through from north 
to south, and the Portsmouth and Roanoke railroad runs for five 
miles across its northern edge. 

Princess Anne is a long, sandy ridge, notched and scalloped by- 
numerous swamps, marshes and creeks, setting up from the ocean 
or leading into the river on the west. In the southern part, the 
sand is too incoherent for fertility ; in the northern are many 
fine farms, under a good state of southern cultivation. Six miles 
south of Norfolk, Gov. Wise owned a plantation on which in 1863 
a daughter of John Brown was teaching African children how to 
read. 

Mr. Jefferson said in describing Harper's ferry: " The first 
glance of this scene hurries our senses into the belief that earth has 
been created in time ; that the mountains were formed first : that 
the rivers began to flow afterwards." 

Here the water, instead of the rocks, is most abundant, and you 
are profoundly impressed with the idea that it was made first, and 
has had ever since pretty much its own way. It was such a land 



i 7 o 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



as this which Dante had in his imagination when he wrote that 
portion of his Divine Comedia, describing a low, flat country 
resembling that " where Rhone stagnates on the plains of Aries." 
Compared with the great Dismal and its surroundings, the Mon- 
tezuma marsh dwindles into the insignificance of a cabinet swamp. 
The rivers neither fall nor flow. The wind dams and clogs them 
up. They appear to have no current only as the wind blows. 
They are dark, sullen, sluggish as Lethe the river of Death. 

The people who inhabit this district are far behind any with 
whom we are acquainted, in schools, general intelligence, agricul- 
ture and all the luxuries and conveniences of life. More than half 
of those to whom we administered the oath of allegiance were 
unable to read and write. When the state of Virginia adopted 
the ordinance of secession, not one man in Princess Anne voted 
against it. The greatest of sins is ignorance, here as everywhere. 
Their principal productions are corn and hogs. They have no 
wagons, but use a two-wheeled cart, such as is seen among the 
poorer classes in Lower Canada. This answers for pleasure, busi- 
ness and farm-work. The plowing is done with one horse. They 
have no mills but wind-mills, no saw mills but whip-saws. Their 
conveniences are limited to the barest necessities. Before the war 
they knew nothing of the North ; they doubtless thought their 
miserable country the fairest in the world. In such an uninviting 
place, the 98th was sent to hunt guerrillas in the woods, swamps 
and marshy islands. 

According to the compendium of the 9th census, the population 
of Princess Anne was in 1870, 8,273, and in i860, 7,714, of whom 
3,186 were slaves. The products of Princess Anne are wheat, 
corn, oats, potatoes, and its total valuation is to that of Wayne 
county as one to twenty-three. 

As soon as our winter quarters were comfortably constructed, 
we went to " scouring, patroling, scouting over the country," 
hunting guerrillas and furloughed rebel soldiers. Major Burroughs, 
of the Confederate army, who had raised his battalion in 
this vicinity, after having re-enlisted the men, temporarily dis- 
banded it in November, and allowed them to go home to visit 
their friends, and supply themselves with horses. They came 
pouring in upon us through the paths of the Dismal Swamp, and 
made it necessary to increase our vigilance and double our patrols. 
Our parties killed several of them, and captured twenty-five or 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 171 

thirty. One of them had the temerity to get married, and invite 
some dozen of his friends to the wedding at the house of the bride's 
father, eight miles distant from our camp. Serg't Allen, co. D., 
was directed to select from the regiment twenty men, to march 
through the woods in the early evening, and surrounding the 
house capture the whole party. About eight of a rainy evening, 
Allen and his comrades took up the line of march, and, after 
floundering through mud and water, tangling in bushes and walk- 
ing on logs, for two hours, at a concerted signal, they approached 
the house from opposite directions. Allen knocked at the 
front door; it was opened. He saw a few women, and six or eight 
young men in Confederate uniform, sitting in the room. " And 
in an instant all was dark." The young rebels flew through the 
windows, dashed through the doors and disappeared in the 
darkness, like "fish that plunges downwards in the flood." Of 
these Allen's party killed one, and captured the groom and two of 
his friends. 

We soon learned the mode of warfare of the guerrillas, found out 
the location of their camps, and broke up their organizations The 
whole country, at first, was in espionage against us, and whenever 
our parties were out, little fires kindled on. the higher banks of 
ground, open windows, flying curtains or pillow-cases, signaled to 
the enemy our approach. They would then disband, skulk in the 
woods, take to the swamps, and lie among the leaves and logs. 

Our scouting parties obtained information of the location of a 
guerrilla* camp on an island in the edge of the great swamp, about 
ten miles distant. After consultation, Col. Wead directed Lieut. 
Lyman A. Rogers to take fifty men from cos. D. and F. and cap- 
ture the guerrillas. Accordingly, about 7 o'clock of a frosty after- 
noon in November, Lieut. Rogers with his detachment crossed the 
river and started on his mission. His men were selected for the 
occasion. They knew their destination, and moved with alacrity 
in light marching order. We watched them as they passed over 
the dyke, which led across the grass-covered flat-land, and saw 
them disappear in the woods beyond. Among them were Lieu- 
tenants Davis and Wells, Serg'ts Allen, Pulver and Gore, each 
equal to two men in a hand-to hand encounter. As they proceeded, 
they put out the fires beside the houses, and compelled the people 
to shut up their windows, and take in their curtains. Near eleven 
o'clock the party arrived at the edge of the swamp, which sur- 



172 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



rounded the island. Rogers divided his detachment into three 
divisions, and taking the command of one, assigned that of the 
others to Lieuts. Wells and Davis. After sinking in mud and 
water, walking on logs, tangling in vines and bushes, the three 
parties arrived nearly simultaneously in the heart of the guerrilla 
camp, unharmed and unopposed. They found four or five cabins 
in which the evening fires were still burning. On as many rustic 
tables the half-eaten evening meal of bacon and corn-bread was 
still standing. Two or three old men and a few negroes were the 
sole occupants. Rogers burned their shanties, destroyed six or 
eight thousand rounds of ammunition, and carried off twenty-three 
government muskets. 

A week or ten days afterwards, as Lieut. Rogers, with some men 
of his company, was walking in the road a few miles from camp, 
they saw a man come out of the woods and sit upon a log beside 
the road twelve or fifteen rods before them. He carried a gun, a 
blanket, a haversack, a wooden canteen. His cap, coat, trousers, 
were of butternut-colored cloth, worn and soiled with years of ser- 
vice in the swamps among the leaves and rotten wood. His hair 
and beard were long and of a reddish gray. He was old, ema- 
ciated and disgustingly squalid. As they approached he arose, 
walked to the centre of the road, faced towards them, and laid 
down his gun on the ground. Trembling, haggard and begrimed, 
he touched his cap to Rogers, and asked if he was an officer in the 
98th. Rogers replied in the affirmative, and the old man said : 
"I belong to the party of guerrillas whose camp your forces de- 
stroyed a few days ago. I am sent by them to the commanding 
officer of the 98th to say to him that they are tired of being guerrillas, 
tired of fighting this way, and sick of laying around in the swamps 
with nothing to eat, and that, if he will allow us, we will all 
deliver ourselves up, take the oath of allegiance, return to our 
homes, and lead a different life." 

Lieut. Rogers led 11 old Sykes," for that was his name, to camp. 
Col. Wead decided to accept the surrender of the guerrillas upon 
their own terms. Sykes was passed out of the camp the next day 
with a full haversack, and furnished with a permit to return with 
twenty-eight of his companions. A few days afterwards they all 
reported and took the oath of allegiance. Never did the sun shine 
upon such miserable appearing men, since the days when the 
Gibeonites deceived Joshua with their " old sacks and wine-bottles, 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. I 73 

old, and rent, and bound up, with their old shoes, and old gar- 
ments, and dry and mouldy bread." After the advent of the 98th, 
plundering, horse-stealing, marauding, burning barges and steamers 
on the canal, no longer paid. 

By December first, the country was quiet ; boats of every variety 
were constantly passing up and down the canal. On the bays, 
creeks and rivers, hunting parties from Washington and Baltimore 
were constructing their booths, setting their decoys and bagging 
the ducks and geese without molestation. Between Norfolk and 
the eastern counties of North Carolina trade in corn and tobacco 
revived, and people passed our station with Treasury permits to 
go to Hyde county and other places within the Confederate line 
and return with corn. Large quantities of tobacco were sent from 
Richmond to the Roanoke and the Pasquotank and exchanged for 
bacon ; the bacon found its way to Richmond, and the tobacco to 
Baltimore. 

Nov. 10th, Capt. Sam'l Austin, a brave man and a good officer, 
was discharged, and Wm. H. Rogers received his captain's com- 
mission, Dec. 4th, 1863. During Dec, 1863, and Jan., 1864, 
the greater part of the regiment re-enlisted. Besides patriotism, 
a growing desire to put down the rebellion, the inducements were 
a furlough of thirty days and a veteran bounty of three hundred 
dollars. Of the aggregate present, 556 men, about 400 re-enlisted, 
and on the 23d of Feb., 1864, marched from Pungo to Norfolk 
where they embarked for home. With the veterans, all the officers 
but three or four went north. Dr. Gray, Lieut. Downing and the 
writer were left behind, where the tall persimmons grow. 

The command of the forces and the district was assigned to us; 
two companies of the First District of Columbia cavalry, consisting 
of 127 officers and men, and a detachment of the 96th N. Y. vols., 
from Coinjock, consisting of 70 men and three officers, were or- 
dered to report to us at once for duty. 

We had for brigade commander General Ledlie, with head- 
quarters at Great Bridge ; for division commander, General Getty, 
with headquarters at Portsmouth, and for the department, Gen. 
B. F. Butler, at Fortress Monroe. Ledlie went north with the 
veterans, and Col. S. H. Roberts, 139th N. Y., assumed his place. 
This is the Roberts who was postmaster of Brooklyn during John- 
son's administration. 

By permission of Gen. Butler, the regiment was allowed to 



i74 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



exchange its Austrian rifle for the new Springfield rifle of the 
government. The new arm was longer, lighter, more attractive 
and serviceable. The men were pleased with the change. 

Early in March, 160 recruits arrived from New York, and 
reported to us. They were raised in Newburgh and vicinity, by 
Caleb S. Henry, chaplain of the regiment, since Dec. 19th, 1863. 
Mr. Henry, though commissioned, was never mustered. He 
preached a few times to the regiment at Pungo, went north with 
the veterans, and never returned. 

With these recruits came Captains Atkins and Anderson, Lieuts. 
Ames, Sneed, Oakiey, and Dr. Howland. We procured the mus- 
ter of these officers, divided the men into provisional companies, 
and set the officers and sergeants drilling them. 

The 1st District cavalry was well armed ; it carried Henry's 
repeating rifle, a sixteen shooter. The 70 men of the 96th N. Y. 
had but 50 rifles, and the 240 men of the 98th had but 70. We 
obtained at once a hundred new rifles from Norfolk, which had 
been sent to the regiment from the Washington arsenal. 

During the month of March the Confederates approached Suffolk 
and Norfolk, in force ; came within our lines at Deep creek, scat- 
tered our pickets along the Dismal Swamp canal, cut off our com- 
munications with Norfolk, and threatened the position at Great 
Bridge. 

Among the troops terribly frightened by this irruption were 
our old friends, the Key Stone cavalry, 5th Penna., who did such 
"tall running" from Williamsburg under Emory. They were 
stationed along the Dismal Swamp canal. At the approach of the 
enemy, they beat a hasty retreat, waded or swam the canal. Some 
were captured, a few drowned, none killed. 

While the enemy were thus closing around us and threatening 
our capture, we loaded the baggage and stores of the detachments 
on four army wagons, impressed a few carts to carry the sick, and 
held ourselves ready to march at a moment's notice down Princess 
Anne, across a long, narrow, four-mile dyke, connecting the lower 
extremity with Knott's island. Had the enemy pursued us in 
force, we intended to retreat to the middle and farther end of this 
dyke, and there construct breast-works of its bridges, and make a 
Thermopylae of it. 

The last of March the cavalry was relieved by two companies of 
the 20th N Y. cavalry. April 20th, we left Pungo with the de- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 75 

tachments of the 96th and 98th, on barges, by canal, and arrived 
at Norfolk the same day. 

Both detachments were paid during the night of the 2 2d. On 
the morning of the 23d they were transferred with their baggage 
and the new arms of the 98th to the steam transport Webster. 
On this vessel we found Gen. Ledlie with his staff and those of the 
81st who had not re-enlisted. In the afternoon of that day, the 
Webster arrived at Yorktown, and the troops disembarked. 

We learned that the veterans of Ledlie's brigade had come from 
New York, a few days before, and that the 98th with, the rest was 
in camp, a mile down the river, on the ground occupied by Naglee's 
brigade in 1862. We ordered the detachments of the 81st and 
96th to report there to their regimental commanders, while we 
conducted that of the 98th to its veteran companions. 

The cycle is again full ; a little more than a year has elapsed, 
and we are back to Yorktown. We are going to Richmond once 
more; this time, for certain. 

After Ulysses had escaped from the cave of the Cyclops, his 
companions asked him if he did not wish to return and get his hat 
and staff which he had left. To whom he replied : 

"What boots the godlike giant to provoke, 
Whose arm may sink us at a single stroke?" 

During our stay at Pungo, we filled our memorandum with ac- 
counts of raids, marches, wild goose chases, swan and duck hunts, - 
extracts from captured Confederate letters, descriptions of Nor- 
folk, Portsmouth, the Gosport navy yard, the Merrimac and the 
Revolutionary frigate, The United States ; but from copying them 
here, from taxing the reader's patience any further, we desist. We 
were glad when we got away from Princess Anne, glad when we 
had left the Stygian pool, and glad when we had escaped the 
devilish race. Unable to read and write, the inhabitants have no 
pleasure in gardens, shrubbery or shade trees ; they have no taste 
for flowers, music, painting or books; they are groveling in their 
thoughts, affections and aspirations. 

At our departure the crocus spread its petals beside the road ; on 
the tall ash, the mistletoe thrust its steel gray flowers through its 
yellow green leaves, and on the low ground in the shade " it needs 
must bloom the violet flower." 



176 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Relics ye are of Eden's bowers, 

As pure, as fragrant, and as fair 
As when ye crowned the sunshine hours 

Of happy wanderers there. 

Let the reader turn to the map of Virginia and direct his at- 
tention to Fredericksburg, Culpper, the Rapidan, the Wilderness, 
and the positions occuppied and rivers crossed by the Army of the 
Potomac on its way to Richmond in the campaign of 1864; also 
let him consider the James river, the Appomattox, City Point and 
Petersburg, for these are strategical lines and points of the greatest 
importance. 

During the winter of 1863-4, the Army of the Potomac and the 
Army of Northern Virginia confronted each other, from opposite 
sides of the Rapidan. Gen. Meade commanded the former, and 
Gen. Lee the latter. The Army of the Potomac was consolidated 
into three corps commanded by Hancock, Warren and Sedgwick ; 
and the Army of Northern Virginia consisted of three corps com- 
manded by Ewell, Hill and Longstreet. Of the one army, Sheri- 
dan commanded the cavalry, and of the other, Stuart. The entire 
National available force present for duty, May 1, 1864, was 
662,345, of which including the 9th corps, 140,000 were numbered 
in the Army of the Potomac. The military strength of the 
Confederacy is not so readily found, but tire Army of Northern 
Virginia perhaps never exceded 65,000 during the campaign of 
1864. 

Gen. Grant received his commission and instructions as lieut. 
general, March 9, 1864. The. Government had become profoundly 
impressed with the opinion that victory could only be achieved by 
unity of plan and effort. Grant's pre-eminent military ability was 
not universally conceded. Several of his battles had not escaped 
the animadversions of military critics. As a strategist he had 
many superiors. But Grant, while he never meddled with politics 
and apparently had no political aspirations, believed in putting 
the rebellion down by fighting. He tried to hurt the enemy and 
accordingly kept knocking. The plan of all of Grant's battles and 
campaigns was the same : he sought to assail by preponderating 
numbers, to crush by the overwhelming weight of masses. 

On the 2d of April, Gen. Butler at Fortress Monroe, was in- 
structed to collect the forces of his department and operate on the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 7 7 

south side of the James river against Richmond. To divert the 
enemy's attention, he designated Yorktown his rendezvous, and, 
by the 25th of April, had gathered there not less than 20,000. 
Gen. Gillmore commanding the department of the south was 
directed to take all of his troops that could be spared from gar- 
rison duty and report to Gen. Butler. He arrived at Fortress 
Monroe about the 1st of May with 10,000 men. A part of his 
force went to Yorktown and encamped on Gloucester point. 

At Yorktown the Army of the James was organized. It con- 
sisted of the 18th corps and the detachment of the 10th; Gen. 
Wm. F. Smith, "Baldy," commanded the former, and Gen. 
Gillmore the latter. 11 Baldy" was about forty-five, a graduate of 
West Point, and belonged to the engineers. At Bull-run he com- 
manded the 3d Vermont infantry volunteers. He was Grant's 
chief engineer at Chattanooga. He resigned from the army in 
1867, and since that time has been president of the International 
Telegraph company and police commissioner in New York city. 
He may have been a good engineer, but for handling troops and 
fighting in the open field, he was not much of a general. Events 
proved that the Army of the James contained no officer of pro- 
minence, who had any dash, any sagacity, any living courage, or 
it would have captured Petersburg, and, perhaps, Richmond. 

Of Butler's generals, the more prominent were Gillmore, Smith, 
Terry, Brooks. Of Gillmore we have spoken in a former chapter. 
He was of the engineers — good at engineering, but as to that 
quality of a general which Sheridan and Sherman possessed, and 
which the marshals of Napoleon exemplified, he was totally and 
marvelously destitute. Besides, he quarreled with Butler from the 
first, and disdained to receive orders from a volunteer general. 
Butler had mind and brains; Gillmore was an artistic formalist, 
versed in the slope of brick and earth walls and the range of guns. 
Gillmore, the inflated, the puffed demonstrator against Charleston 
with the big manifesto, the blunderer at Fort Wagner, Gillmore, 
could not condescend to a second position, could not brook con- 
trol. Butler charges the failure of his attempt to take Petersburg 
to Gillmore's unwilling and tardy co-operation. 

Both corps refitted at Yorktown, and were re-organized into 
brigades and divisions. The 81st, 96th, 98th, 139th, New York 
vols., composed the first brigade of the first division of the 18th 
army corps. It was commanded by Brig. -General Gilman Mars- 



i -/8 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



ton, of New Hampshire. Brig.-General Brooks commanded the 
division; him the soldiers called il Bully Brooks." The division 
contained three brigades: in the second were the 13th and 10th 
N. H., the 8th Ct, and the 118th N. Y.; in the third were the 
40th Mass., the 21st Ct., the 92d N. Y., and the 188th Penna. vols. ; 
Gen. Burnam commanded the second brigade, and Col. Dutton, 
21st Ct., the third. 

While the 98th remained at Yorktown, that is, from April 23d 
to May 4th, the officers were busy drilling, transferring the old 
arms and obtaining the new. They inspected, condemned or 
turned in, the worn-out ordnance and quartermaster's stores, re- 
fitted with clothing, camp and garrison equipage, and made out the 
pay-rolls for March and April. The new recruits were assigned to 
the different companies, and several changes made among the line 
officers. 

The following promotions were made from Jan. to April, 1864: 
Lieut. Col. Wead to be colonel, March 4th, 1864. Lieutenants 
Hildreth, L. A. Rogers, Davis, Gile, Allen, to be captains ; Second 
Lieutenants Hickok, Boothe, Mott, Downing, Angevine, Harris, 
Copps were raised to first-lieutenants ; and from civilians Isaac 
Smith, Capius Ransom and Joseph Snead were appointed second- 
lieutenants. 

May the first, we sent our surplus baggage to Norfolk. At the same 
time transports began to collect in the York river, and everything 
indicated a movement by water, where or when none could tell. 

The writer was directed by special order from division head- 
quarters to turn over the command of his company to the next in 
rank, and to act for the future as field officer of the regiment. At 
the same time Col. Wead requested the governor of New York to 
promote him to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. This request was 
approved at brigade, division, corps and army headquarters. The 
reasons alleged for jumping Major Clarke were that he had been 
absent since June, 1863, at Elmira, on recruiting service, and had 
failed to obtain a recruit, that he never had the confidence of the 
officers of the regiment, and that he had lost the esprit de corps 
of the service. 

In the matter of promotions it may not be improper to state that, 
in Feb., 1863, all of the officers of the 98th but three or four joined 
in a petition to Governor Seymour, and requested that the writer 
be promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment. This request was 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 79 

approved by Gens. Naglee and Hunter. Later in March, the 
officers of another New York regiment unanimously asked Governor 
Seymour to appoint him lieutenant-colonel in their organization. 
Nothing was ever heard from either of these recommendations, 
though they are still on file at Albany ; nor was any attention paid 
to the letter and endorsements sent by Col. Wead. It would not 
be difficult to make a long list of officers who were advanced or 
breveted for services they never rendered ; the governors of the 
different states sometimes committed the folly of promoting their 
supporters and friends for services rendered in battles which were 
fought while these same favorites were home on leave of absence. 
Chance, however, never mends her error, and corruption and fa- 
voritism never apologize. If crime goes unwhipt of justice, so, 
too, do worth and merit go often unrequited of wrong by that 
blind and stately goddess. Aristides, the Just banished, Cicero, 
the Father of his country beheaded, Belisarius blind and asking 
alms, show the justice of society and its recompense for service. 

On recommendations of the company commanders, the following 
promotions and appointments of non-commissioned officers were 
made: privates to be corporals: — Michael Gannon, co. A. ; Wm. 
Danforth, co. B. ; Dan'l Newton and F. C. Smith, co. C. ; Na- 
than Young, co. D. ; Oran Lester, co. F. ; Walter Roys and 
Judson Cheney, co. G. ; Isaac Foster and Gilbert A. Wright, co. 
H. ; Geo. Wissick, Alonzo Putney and Horatio Dalton, co. I. ; 
E. S. Smith, J. J. Bush and Peter Fritts, co. K. ; corporals to be 
sergeants : Joseph*Perry, co. I. ; M. E. Griffith, co. G. ; Archibald 
Stewart, co. H. ; Clark A. Page and Byron Pierce, co. K. 

S. S. Short became by appointment the ordnance sergeant of the 
regiment, and for a time did the state service in exchanging the 
arms and keeping them in repair. In every position Short was 
always obliging, friendly, correct, prompt, and the abandon of camp 
life made no difference in his behavior or character. 

The following non-commissioned officers formed the color- 
guard : Sergeant Edward Gore .and Corporals Wm. Blair, Christo- 
pher Roscoe, Jeremiah DeGray, Wm. Hiney, Jas. A. Mars, Alfred 
Henry, Everett Bastian and Peter Fritts. Gore was the Ajax of 
the regiment; his voice like that of some of Homer's heroes sur- 
passed the mouths of fifty men. Of this guard four were killed 
in action, or died of wounds received in battle ; three were slightly 
wounded, and two survived the campaign unhurt. 



l8o NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

From the 24th of April to the 1st of May, the officers of the Army 
of the James were busy drilling, inspecting, obtaining and dis- 
tributing supplies and perfecting its organization. Careful inspec- 
tions were ordered of the different regiments, and minute reports 
required at division headquarters showing the condition of their 
arms and clothing. 

General orders designated the outfit for enlisted men, the com- 
pany equipage, and the baggage allowed for officers and regimental 
headquarters. The inspections and reports were intended to show 
how these orders were observed. 

The military condition of the Army of the James was of the 
first order. The men were veterans accustomed to service in the 
field, well drilled and splendidly furnished and equipped. It had 
all the essentials of a complete army, engineers, cavalry, artillery, 
staff appointments, transportation, pontoons and naval co-opera- 
tion. 

We saw Gen. Butler standing on the wharf at Fortress Monroe 
as the vessels bearing this army rounded Old Point Comfort and 
headed up the James. He made no effort to conceal his elation. 
Hope was bright and promise high. He thought to enter Rich- 
mond before Grant could cross the North Anna. Brilliant battles, 
marches and successes flashed before him, and he read his " history 
in the nation's eyes." His adjutant general remarked that "Na- 
poleon made the conquest of Italy in 1796 with an army inferior 
in every respect to this." "True," said Butler, circumspectly, 
"but I have neither his genius nor his independent field of opera- 
tion. My object and orders are definite. We are but secondary. 
It may be necessary to sacrifice us to save the Army of the Poto- 
mac. What we do must be done quickly." 

For three months the 98th had been without a chaplain. The 
attendance and relations of that officer with the regiment had been 
so uncertain and so unsatisfactory that many regarded his services 
as untirely unnecessary. We do not remember that any conver- 
sions were ever made in the regiment, or that any unusual religious 
interest was ever manifested. 

On the last Sabbath of April, the regiment attended service in 
the camp of the 81st N. Y. The chaplain's text was from Dan. xi. 
34: "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands 
which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay 
and brake them to pieces." Near the close of his sermon he said : 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. l8l 

" The Army of the James may be this little stone which Nebuchad- 
nezzar saw in his dream loosening itself and rolling down ; in the 
providence of God, it may be destined to capture the Confederate 
capital, and be the nether mill stone in crushing and grinding the 
Army of Northern Virginia to powder." 

No army ever took the field with higher spirits, greater confi- 
dence in its officers, and brighter hopes of success. 



182 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XIV. 



A General Advance of the Armies of the Republic on the 5th of May — The Army of the 
James on Transports moves up the James River — The Landing at Bermuda Hundred — 
The Bivouac — The Advance in the Morning— Gen. Heckman — A View of the Country — 
Point of Rocks— Before Petersburg the 9th— A Dreadful Night— Butler retires from 
Swift's Creek — Gen. Marston turned round — All back to Bermuda Hundred— On the 
War-path again — Knocking at the Back-door of Richmond — Butler surrounds a Con- 
federate Fort, and delays attacking — The Army of the James attacked, the 16th, and 
driven back to its Intrenchments at Bermuda — The 98th in Battle — How it behaved, and 
what it lost. 



DURING the month of April, the President and Gen. Grant had 
made arrangements for the simultaneous advance on the 5th 
of May, of the armies of the Republic. 

While the Army of the Potomac marched from the Rapidan, 
Sigel advanced his forces in two columns up the Kanawha and 
Shenandoah valleys ; Butler moved from Fortress Monroe and 
established himself at City Point, and Gen. Sherman succeeding 
Grant in the command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, 
marched southward from Chattanooga into Northern Georgia with 
a hundred thousand men. 

On the 2d of May, 1864, the Army of the James, at Yorktown, 
received orders to be ready to embark at a moment's notice. 
During the forenoon of the* 4th, it broke camp and marched to the 
landing. The day was warm, hazy and pleasant ; the over-arching 
sky showed not a cloud to obscure its deep serene ; the slumbering 
bay mirrored far from its shores the surrounding fields, and a score 
of transports with slowly fluttering pennons took their turn at the 
wharf, shipped their cargoes and steamed down the channel. 
Everything was beautiful, joyful, pleasant, promising, bright. For 
six months but few of that army had seen any dangerous service. 
Well-paid, well-clothed, well-fed, they had rollicked away the win- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 83 

ter in ease and plenty. None observes better than the soldier the 
maxim, " While we breathe let us live." But few anticipated the 
severity of the coming campaign ; none thought of its toils, suffer- 
ings, wounds and deaths. 

Near 3 p. m., six companies of the 98th were placed on the screw 
steamer Prometheus, and four on the propeller Perit ; Col. Wead 
commanded the former ; the writer, the latter. We arrived at 
Fortress Monroe at 10 p. m., cast anchor and remained till morn- 
ing. 

The expedition was ordered to rendezvous, at sunrise, up the 
river, at Newport News. There the transports were arranged ac- 
cording to divisions and brigades ; the 18th corps taking the lead. 
Hampton Roads were full of vessels, loaded down with troops and 
stores. The transports were preceded or accompanied by a squad- 
ron of war-vessels, consisting of four monitors and seventeen gun- 
boats. Gen. Graham led the advance with three army gun-boats ; 
and Admiral Lee from his flag-ship, the Malvern, commanded the 
navy. Simultaneously Gen. Kautz with three thousand cavalry 
moved out from Suffolk, scattered the enemy's forces at the cross- 
ing of the Blackwater, and, hastening rapidly westward, struck the 
Weldon road south of Petersburg at Stony Creek, and burned the 
bridge. Col. R. M. West, with about 1,800 colored cavalry, 
advanced from Williamsburg up the north bank of the James, 
and, with equal pace, moved along with, and often in sight of, the 
transports. 

The morning was clear and beautiful ; the sun rose over the 
ocean like an immense globe of fire ; but. little wind was stirring, 
and the yellow waters of the James, like a golden mirror, glanced 
off the slanting rays. At 5 a. m. the expedition began to move ; 
banners, and flags and pennons floated wide, and a hundred bands 
played our national airs : " Hail Columbia," " The Star Spangled 
Banner," "Yankee Doodle," and "The Girl I left behind Me." 
The bright, smooth waters of the lordly James, the songs of the 
birds on the shores and over the river, the deep forest, the green 
fields, the neat, white farm-houses glancing through the groves, 
and over thirty transports loaded with armed veterans, careless 
and happy, formed a picture not often seen and not readily for- 
gotten. The soldiers hung upon the railing, lounged upon the 
decks, ascended the pilot and wheel-houses, smoked and talked, 
laughed and sung ; and all went "merry as a marriage-bell." 



1 84 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

Swiftly in our course and in succession, we passed the landing 
for Williamsburg, the site of old Jamestown, the mouth of the 
Chickahominy, Fort Powhatan, Wilson's landing, Harrison's Bar, 
City Point, and arriving at Bermuda Hundred we stopped. On 
our way Wilde's negro-brigade was divided and left for garrison, 
at Fort Powhatan and Wilson's wharf, and Hink's colored divi- 
sion landed without opposition at City Point. Thus the James 
was seized, secured and held for navigation as a base. The enemy 
was thunderstruck; he had not suspected such a move. On the 
evening of the 4th, Butler threatened his capital from Yorktown 
and Williamsburg ; on the evening of the 5th, he landed at Ber- 
muda Hundred and approached his capital on the south side of 
the James, with 35,000 men. 

It was after sunset before he began to land, and Brooks' division 
took the lead. 

Bermuda Hundred is an irregular, triangular piece of land, lying 
between the James and the Appomattox. The rear and flanks were 
covered by the rivers ; the front looked towards the west, the open 
country and the enemy. Our division has the front, Marston's 
brigade in advance. We move through wheat-fields, corn-fields, 
meadows, along the edge of a deep tangled wood which extends 
on our right to the bottom lands of the James. No enemy ap- 
pears. About ten o'clock we halt, throw our pickets out a hundred 
rods on the right flank and front, stack arms and lie down on the 
ground to sleep. Early on the morning of the 6th, we shook out 
our blankets, dried the heavy deW from our garments, ate our 
frugal meal, ranged our files and ranked our lines and waited the 
order to advance in line of battle. Near six o'clock, the march 
began towards Point of Rocks, six miles from the landing. At an 
old church two miles out, the tenth army corps took the right- 
hand road leading towards the James, and the 18th continued di- 
rectly towards Walthall's landing and the Appomattox. No troops 
of the enemy were seen. Near Point of Rocks all went into camp, 
halting for camp equipage, artillery, ammunition and stores. During 
this day, Heckman's brigade of the 18th corps had the advance 
and furnished the skirmish line. In the afternoon, we constructed 
a breastwork of rails, logs, trees and dirt ; and, by night, this ex- 
temporized line extended from the James to the Appomattox. 
Supplies came up ; the weather was fine ; the morale of the army 
excellent. Butler and Smith were often seen riding along the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 85 

lines over the fields. Both received our 
cheers whenever near. On the 7th, 
Brooks' division advanced to the rail- 
road which runs from Walthall's to the 
Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. 
His troops destroyed the bridges, burn- 
ed the ties and bent the rails for a few 
hundred yards. Later in the day, a 
strong Confederate force, under D. H. 
Hill, appeared in front. Heckman's 
brigade from the second division came to our support. Heavy skir- 
mishing followed. We gained some advantages, but were com- 
pelled to retire with the loss of nearly three hundred men. Gen. 
Heckman was slightly wounded and his horse killed. This day 
the 25th Massachusetts confronted the 25th South Carolina regi- 
ment. 

Heckman was the best fighter of the Army of the James. He 
had the most sagacity and living courage, and handled his com- 
mand best under fire. During an engagement he was accustomed 
to ride slowly along behind his line, to examine well the position 
of the enemy, direct his own officers to take advantage of the ac- 
cidents of the ground, and to speak to them in the coolest and 
most self-possessed manner imaginable. He was thin, small, ner- 
vous, wiry, without much force or spirit, but his courage was of 
the first order. 

The Army of the James rested on the 8th day of May, and we 
availed ourselves of that opportunity to collect material for this in- 
teresting and reliable history, and to knit the fringed or raveled 
ends of a few personal observations together.. 

The portion which we have so far seen of Chesterfield county 
is fertile and tolerably well cultivated. The surface is generally 
level or slightly undulating, and the productions are the same as 
those of central New York. The bank of the Appomattox is high 
and steep. About three mile^s from City Point, a ledge of limestone 
crops out along the shore, and the place is called Point of Rocks. 
No rocks are apparent east of these. Here Butler established his 
base hospital ; and Dr. McCormic, his medical director, with his 
medical staff, at once went to work to lay out the ground, raise 
the tents and construct the buildings. 

Petersburg, at present ou; objective point, lies on an angle of 




1 86 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

» 

Dinwiddie county, on the south bank of the Appomattox, twenty- 
two miles from Richmond and nine from City Point. Vessels 
requiring six feet of water ascend to the city, but Walthall's land- 
ing, six miles below, is the harbor for Petersburg. Railroads con- 
nect it with City Point, Richmond, Norfolk and the South. A 
short railroad runs from Walthall's to the Richmond and Peters- 
burg railroad. The two cities are also connected by an old turn- 
pike or state road, wide, generally level, and without fences at the 
sides, or bridges over the streams. The population of Dinwiddie 
county, in i860, was 30,198, of whom over half lived in Petersburg. 

Early on the morning of the 9th, the whole command started 
for the doomed city, the 18th corps on the left, the 10th on the 
right. " Baldy" Smith commanded the former, and Gen. Gillmore 
the latter. 

Smith skirmished with the enemy from the junction of the 
railroads, and drove him back, with little loss, beyond Swift's 
creek. The stream is but a small tributary of the Appomattox, 
and at that point, about three miles from the city, runs nearly 
parallel with the river. The creek has high banks covered by 
thick, primitive forests ; behind it the enemy retired. On the 
night of the 9th, after dark, our forces took their position, 
divided by the Richmond and Petersburg railroad, along the left 
bank of this sylvan stream. Brooks' division was on the right of 
the railroad, and the rest of the 18th corps on the left. Brooks 
connected with the 10th corps. During the day, in this advance, 
we had skirmished with the enemy, wounded a few, killed a few, 
captured a few. 

The railroad crossed the creek on a trestle bridge about sixty 
rods in our front. For miles around, the country was covered with 
primitive, tangled southern forests. Front, rear and flank, all 
was wood. When night came on, the wind dwindled to a whis- 
per, which rustled in the leaves and sighed in the pine-tops ; the 
owl hooted in her leafy tower ; the whippoorwills sang in concert 
along the margin of the stream ; the roaring of the water over the 
rapids rose and fell on the air, and brightly the evening fires 
gleamed, and their arrowy sparkles quivered, along the forest 
branches. 

Our tour of duty came, "doomed for a certain time to walk the 
night," and take charge of the picket for Marston's brigade, which 
extended from the railroad, fifty rods to the right, through the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. I 87 

deep wood, and, as we have said, about sixty rods from the stream. 
At 10 o'clock, p.m., we posted them and spent most of the time 
during the night walking up and down behind them, in the forest 
shades, ranging our "Suliote band." 

One of our batteries was in position a little behind the point 
where the line of battle crossed the railroad. Twice during the 
night, the enemy ran his cars, loaded with troops, down to the 
bridge, and, unloading them, charged along the road upon us to 
take the battery. We could plainly hear the approach of his cars, 
hear him stop them and order the troops to get out, hear him form 
them, and give the command to advance. 

At the second charge, our troops near the railroad moved up to 
the picket line and discharged a volley along the road and into the 
woods. Suffering heavily, the enemy was repulsed each time with 
rifle and cannon. But the terrors of that night battle, the shouts 
of the enemy, the flash and roar of the rifle and cannon, the deep 
darkness of the woods, the uncertainty that our troops were hold- 
ing their position, filled our pickets with fear and caused them to 
abandon their posts. After the enemy had retired and the battle 
died away, it was our duty, a Herculean task, to find them again, 
collect them together and replace them. Up and down the line, 
back to the line of battle, forward to the picket line, we went a 
dozen times, tangling, groping, picking our way. All the while 
the cries of the enemy's wounded and dying came from the front 
and made night hideous. As the morning hours chilled their ga- 
ping wounds, their cries became more loud and piercing and fre- 
quent. From eleven to three, the battle and firing along the rail- 
road were incessant ; every moment of these four hours was a 
screaming horror. Tired, hungry, exhausted, at times deserted, in 
all our round, we never passed such a night on duty before. 
For months afterwards, the shrieks, yells, moans and cries of the 
enemy's wounded rang in our ears. The brigade picket, un- 
nerved by the surrounding horrors, their senses appalled, became 
panic-stricken, and officers and men left their posts regardless of 
duty, danger and honor. That night battle in the woods of Peters- 
burg baffles description. Every sound seemed to have treble effect 
in the deep darkness of the unknown wood. Front, flank and 
rear were alike uncertain, and all the elements of a panic, confu- 
sion, terror and dismay, pressed upon us on all sides round, like 
Ocean round a diving bell. It was a miserable night, 



1 88 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

" So full of ugly sights, 

That as I am a Christian, faithful man, 

I would not spend another such a night, 

Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days, 

So full of dismal terror was the time." 

To illustrate its effect upon our troops we relate that about 4 a. 
m., the corps officer of the picket rode to Gen. Marston, who was 
sleeping on the ground beside a fallen tree. He requested the general 
to go with him and show him the pickets of his brigade. Marston was a 
New Hampshire lawyer, about forty-five years of age,. and, at that 
time, a member of congress. All had been quiet since three 
o'clock. — Marston mounted his horse and, followed by the corps 
officer, struck off through the woods towards the rear. After 
riding half a mile, Marston began to look for his picket, and ex- 
pressed shortly afterwards a wish to know what had become of 
them. " In the name of God, General," said the corps officer, 
" you are not looking for your picket here, I hope !" " Certainly," 
replied the General, "where else should I look for them ?" "Why, 
we are here in the rear of your line of battle a half mile or more," 
rejoined the indignant outpost commander, and, turning round 
sharply, rode back to the front. Marston said for excuse and apol- 
ogy, that he himself was bewildered and turned round. 

Between 9 and 10 a. m., Butler's forces began to retire. An hour 
after the troops had gone, we were directed to collect our pickets, 
fold them up, and follow the main body. This movement was 
soon discovered by the enemy, and, not long afterwards, we heard 
him crossing the bridge and forming his line of battle. He fol- 
lowed us to the sound of drum, fife and trumpet, carefully, how- 
ever, with skirmishers in front. The corps in this retreat, tore up 
several hundred feet of the railroad, bent the bars and burnt the ties. 
By 3 p. m., all moving back to camp again at Bermuda Hundred, we 

'* Whispered in an undertone, 
Let the hawk stoop — his prey is flown." 

But why did we march up and then march down again ? While 
along Swift's creek, the night of the 9th, Butler telegraphed to 
Washington: "Lieutenant-General Grant will not be troubled 
with anymore reinforcements to Lee from Beauregard's forces." 

Butler, encouraged by his success, determined to drive the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 89 

enemy across the Appomattox into Petersburg and capture that 
place. But, during the night, news came from Washington that 
Lee, vanquished by Meade, was in full retreat towards Richmond. 
If so, he might fall heavily upon the Army of the James and crush 
it to atoms. Butler decided to stand from under, to recall his 
troops from Swift's creek, to strengthen his lines at Bermuda Hun- 
dred, and to prepare for active operations against Richmond. 

Returning to camp at Bermuda Hundred the ioth of May, the 
Army of the James rested and refitted on the nth, and, early on 
the 12th, took up the war-path again. 

Striking boldly and freely out from the intrenchments to the 
railroad and pike leading from Petersburg to Richmond, it halted 
for an hour to let Kautz's division of cavalry pass. Kautz, hold- 
ing the pike for a few miles, turned to the left, swept near Ches- 
terfield court-house, destroyed the Richmond and Danville rail- 
road near Coalfield and Powhatan stations ; crossed the Weldon 
road at Jarratt's station, passed by Prince George's court-house, 
and returned to City Point on the 17th. 

Leaving a heavy force under Gen. Ames to guard their rear from 
the direction of Petersburg, the 18th corps followed the turnpike, 
and the ioth corps marched up the railroad, northward towards 
Fort Darling and Richmond. 

For that day the weather was rainy and disagreeable. In the 
morning we passed over a part of the ground where the rear of 
Gillmore fought on the ioth with the pursu'ing enemy. The 
woods had been fired, and our dead, unburied, still lay on the 
ground, half burned. 

We marched with flankers on the right ; two companies of the 
98th were detailed for this purpose, under command of Capt. Hil- 
dreth. On the evening, in a drizzling rain, we bivouacked along 
Proctor's creek. The enemy had fallen back behind this creek, 
and taken a position in a fortified line, the outworks of Fort Darling. 

All day General Heckman had the advance, skirmishing with the 
enemy. During the night, a steady, pouring rain fell; and, on 
the morning of the 13th, the 98th, wet to the skin, was ordered to 
report to Gen. Heckman. About 7 a. m., the advance began. At 
10 a. M., we crossed, with but little opposition, Kingsland's creek, 
and ascended the ridge near the Half-way House. As we marched 
over the rising ground, we saw the troops before us, in a wide open 
field observing apparently, perfectly, the skirmisher drill, drive 



I90 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

the enemy before them. Our men stood boldly up, and, marching 
at a rapid rate, kept up their fire and pressed the Confederates in 
the woods beyond. The line of battle advanced with the light 
troops and rested for the night on both sides of the main road, 80 
rods in front of the Half-way House. — Here, for the night, the 
98th was directed to support a battery. The enemy threw solid 
shot at the battery ; none did any damage. A few random rifle 
balls came over from the skirmish line : one of those Corp'l Hiney, 
of the color guard, caught in his coat. Just at sunset the Con- 
federates tried to break our line by a charge down the pike 
towards the battery. They drove back the light troops and were 
succeeding apparently very well, when the battery opened and 
our whole force rose and cheered and yelled. The Confederate 
advance ceased, and the battle died away. 

During this day, the 10th corps turned the enemy's right; and, on 
the morning of the 14th, both corps advanced and drove him into 
his rifle pits and forts. 

In this advance, companies D and H, of the 98th, under Capts. 
Gile and Davis, in the forenoon, and F and I under Capt. L. A. 
Rogers, in the afternoon, were on the skirmish line. The re- 
mainder of the regiment supported the battery until 5 p. m., when 
it reported to General Heckman again. This general had the ex- 
treme right on the right of the turnpike, somewhat advanced. 
Colonel Cole's colored cavalry connected his brigade with the 
James. On the evening of the 14th, Butler enclosed the 
enemy's earthworks on three sides, and, during that night, the 98th 
was the extreme right of the infantry line; nothing between it and 
the James, on a mile or more of meadow lands, but scattered ve- 
dettes from Cole's cavalry. 

We were to assault the works in front on the 15 th at 4 in the 
morning. But Gens. Butler, Gillmore and Smith held a consulta- ' 
tion during the night at the mansion of Dr. Freund, which we passed 
near Proctor's creek. They decided that their line was too thin to 
make the attack, and postponed the assault until the morning of 
the 1 6th. With this delay Butler lost his opportunity again. It 
cost him a bootless battle and four thousand men. 

There is a tide in the affairs of men ;" 

and in the tented field there are golden chances to advance and 
win, which sagacity must seize. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 191 

General Beauregard is in command of the Confederates, and he 
prepares a similar movement. During the 15th the troops changed 
their position several times ; they pressed closely the enemy's works 
so that they were all day under fire. At night the 98th was at Heck- 
man's left, on its left were the 8th Maine and the 21st Connecticut; 
further left were the 18th and 10th corps, forming a line five miles 
long, concave towards the front. They constructed a rude breast- 
work of logs ; the skirmishers were from twenty to one hundred 
yards in front ; the enemy's main work was one thousand yards 
distant. About dark, the outpost firing, which for twenty-four 
hours had been constant, ceased entirely, but the utmost vigilance 
was maintained. They were to assault at 4 a. m., the 16th. 

It rained slowly most all day; the ground and bushes were wet. 
We made us a hut of boards from an old fence. In this Col. Wead 
and the writer lay down, about 9 p. m., to sleep. During the day 
neither of them had eaten anything but hard bread. Their three 
days' rations gave out the night of the 14th, and they sent Alfred 
Courtright back to camp for food. He was directed to neither halt 
nor tarry, but to make what speed he could. Though his pass was 
from " Baldy," Alfred was delayed by provost guards and by an attack 
in our rear on Gen. Ames. The roads were slippery, muddy, and 
the streams swollen. Near eleven, Alfred returning knocked at 
the door of our bivouac. Said Col. Wead: " Courtright, for the 
love of God, where have you been, and what have you got ?" Dis- 
regarding the first part of the interrogation, Alfred said : "I've got 
a ham and some cheese, coffee and soft bread; but the ham isn't 
cooked." After a little consultation, it was decided to postpone 
the ham until morning, and take the cheese, coffee and bread, sur 
le champ, on the spot. Alfred laid the ham on the leaves, under 
the floor of our bivouac, and spread his frugal board before us. 
"We soon after fell asleep. 

Between two and three in the morning, we heard a few rifle 
shots in the front, and calling to Isaac, our colored man-servant, 
who slept on the ground near by, asked him to get up and ascer- 
tain, if possible, what was going on. Isaac arose and listened. 
Not reporting, we called out: "Isaac, what do you hear — what is 
going on?" " Nuffen, sir, nuffen : only I guess de 'skeeters are 
troubling de picket line a leetle ! " 

At that time a dense fog began to rise from the river and creep 
over the country. At day-break, however, the ball opened with 



192 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



heavy picket firing, vigorous shell and case firing from the redoubt. 
Soon after, the enemy advanced in force, drove back our outposts, 
approached our breastworks in the fog, and assaulted our line. He was 
repulsed from all points by a well-directed fire. During this demon- 
stration, the enemy hurled against the right of Heckman a column 
which had crossed from the north side of the James during the uight. 
Himself and more than half his brigade were captured or killed. 

The enemy marched down Heckman's line from right to left 
and scattered all his regiments, taking them one after another in 
flank. Arriving at the 98th, his advance was checked, as reported 
by Col. Wead. " I changed the front of my regiment to rear on its 
left company, and received the leading regiment, the 23d Virginia 
vols., with an unexpected fire which threw it into confusion. The 
enemy then marched by his right flank with the purpose of turning 
our left, but he was again repulsed by the 8th Maine, which occu- 
pied the breastworks at right angles to our line. At the same time 
my right wing was attacked by the 14th Georgia, which it hand- 
somely repulsed. After the enemy was thus checked, the 98th and 
the 8th Maine were withdrawn by order of Gen. Smith, through the 
woods back to the Half-way House, and posted across the turn- 
pike, forming a line of battle with the 9th New Jersey and 21st 
Conn." 

Wead's report and statements went to army headquarters, and 
were never contradicted. They explain how the advance was 
checked. But Greeley and Lossing say: "The 112th New York, 
of Ames' division, which had been sent to Smith, came up. Being 
at that instant joined by the 9th Me., the two regiments checked 
the assailants by a stubborn resistance." 

The enemy pursued and attacked us again in our new position, 
near the Half-way House, and after an hour of severe fighting was 
repulsed in disorder. 

In the second battle of the day, the writer commanded the 98th, 
and Colonel Wead had charge of a provisional brigade, formed by 
General Weitzel, Butler's chief of staff, of the 9th N. J., 8th Me., 
21st Conn., and 98th N. Y. 

This brigade, a light battery and Colonel Cole's colored cavalry, 
(Cole of Hiscock notoriety), under the direction of General Weit- 
zel, saved the Army of the James. The positions it took and held 
under his direction were vital. Holding the turnpike, checking 
the enemy for a few hours, prevented Gillmore, who had been 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 93 

sorely pressed, from being cut off, and allowed him to retire. 
From Greeley and Lossing the reader is led to infer that two regi- 
ments stemmed the tide of conflict and saved the day. 

Col. Wead, in his report to corps headquarters, said : "The 9th 
N. J. sustained its well established reputation ; the 8th Me. ex- 
hibited great steadiness and tenacity; the 21st Conn, fought gal- 
lantly ; my own regiment obeyed its orders, and my senior officer 
managed it with bravery and ability." 

With other troops, this brigade, commanded by Col. Wead, 
formed the rear guard in the retreat, that afternoon, for the Army 
of the James. 

The 98th lost that day, in killed and wounded, one hundred 
and three officers and men. But one man straggled, and none were 
made prisoners. During the early evening all returned to camp, 
sorely beaten, but not disheartened, cast down, but not destroyed. 

All day we had nothing to eat, nothing but water to drink. We 
thought a thousand times of the ham which we had left that morn- 
ing under the floor of our bivouac. What had become of the ten 
lost tribes of Israel, of the seventh star in the Pleiades, of the lost 
books of Livy, never received such deep, anxious, earnest inquiry 
and consideration. 




13 



194 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XV. 



The Fortifications of Bermuda Hundred— Butler, how bottled up— The 18th Corps sent to 
Cold Harbor — The Landing at White House, and the March to Cold Harbor— The Par- 
son's Ride — The 9th Heavy Artillery — The Corps in Order — Waiting to go in — A Night's 
Blunder and its Result — June 2d, we rest, and June 3d, the whole Army charges the 
Confederate Line — Col. Wead mortally wounded — His Character — The Intrench- 
ments — A Mid-summer Night's Dream— The Confederate Charge of June 4th — The 
Author holds Sick-call in the Trenches, and gives a Dinner in the 3d Parallel — Death 
of Capt. L. A. Rogers — The 18th Corps returns to Bermuda Hundred — The Army of the 
Potomac transferred to City Point and Petersburg. 

AFTER the defeat of the Army of the James at Drury's Bluffs, it 
retired within its intrenchments at Bermuda Hundred, and 
completed under the direction of Gen. Weitzel that line of works 
which for defensive operations was not surpassed during the war. 

In front of and parallel to that of the Army of the James, Beau- 
regard constructed a similar line of intrenchments. From the 
17th to the 26th of May, both armies worked like beavers at their 
fortifications. 

If Butler's position was impregnable, so was that of the enemy 
also. If Butler was unable to undertake offensive movements, the 
secure position which he held was of vast importance in connection 
with the operations of the Army of the Potomac. 

Butler was not bottled up ; he could move in every direction 
but one. His line of communication was undisturbed. He had 
a daily mail, and the James was full of his transports, gun-boats 
and supply-ships. He could cross the James at HaxalPs or any 
other point. He could send the 18th corps to reinforce the Army 
of the Potomac at White House. He could cross the Appomattox 
at Point of Rocks and move upon Petersburg along the right bank 
of that river. Yet Butler, mortified because he had succeeded so 
poorly with his splendid army, sneeringly said when Grant directed 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 1 95 

him to send the' 18th corps to Meade at White House, that the 
necessities of the Army of the Potomac had bottled him up. 

The line of works constructed by Weitzel extended from the 
James below the Howlett house to the Appomattox a few miles 
above Point of Rocks. 

First, there was a strong line of earthworks consisting of. breast- 
works and redoubts, so high that troops and teams were secure 
behind them. The inside of the intrenchments were supported 
with timber and the embrasures for the cannon were constructed 
of sand-bags. To prevent the action of the weather, as well as to 
render them more secure, a row of sand-bags lay on the top of the 
breastworks throughout their whole extent. Second, outside this 
line was a deep ditch, and in front of the ditch an abatis, inge- 
niously constructed of sharpened branches of trees driven in or 
staked to the ground ; outside of all was a row of pointed palisades 
inclining towards the front. In Butler's farewell address to the 
Army of the James he said, " that it made its defensive works so 
strong that they held themselves." So far as the eye or glass could 
detect the works constructed by the Confederate engineers were 
similar. 

Though we sent daily large details for picket or for labor on the 
intrenchments, we still had time to obtain clothing, arms and other 
necessary supplies. 

On the 19th and 20th, Beauregard assaulted the right of this 
line, captured a few of the pickets and working parties, and pressed 
back the divisions of Ames and Terry. The line each day was 
restored after heavy fighting and much loss on both sides. After 
these no other attempts were made, the pickets became friendly, 
exchanged papers, traded coffee and tobacco, and communicated 
items of war-news. 

From the 13th to the 31st of May, Meade and Lee confronted 
each other with their immense armies, manoeuvred and counter- 
manoeuvred, watched for weak points in the dispositions of each 
other, intrenched, skirmished, fought from Spottsylvania court- 
house to Cold Harbor. 

On the 27th, we received orders to be ready with three days' 
cooked rations in haversacks, to march at a moment's notice. 
Later, we are informed that we shall go by transports, that we 
must leave under guard the heavy baggage and surplus stores. On 
inquiry, we learned that the order was given to four divisions, one 



I96 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

of the 10th and three of the 18th corps, twelve thousand in num- 
ber, and that Gen. Smith was assigned to their command. 

On the 28th, the four divisions marched back to Bermuda Hun- 
dred ; on the morning of the 29th, they embarked and steamed 
down the James. Passing Fortress Monroe during the night, and 
ascending the York river and the Pamunkey, they landed at White 
House during the morning of the 30th. 

Sheridan's scouts and a few of his cavalry were on the 
ground at our arrival. We learned that Sheridan's cavalry and 
Wright's corps, the 6th, were at Cold Harbor, and that Meade 
was pressing Lee everywhere with success, and driving him back 
towards Richmond ; that the Army of the Potomac had crossed 
the Pamunkey at Hanover town, New Castle and Piping Tree 
fords, and that Lee was somewhere south of the Tolopatomoy on 
the old battle ground of Cold Harbor, between Porter and Jackson 
in 1862. We were directed to take three days' cooked rations in 
haversacks, ten days' rations .in bulk, sixty rounds of ammunition 
to a man in pockets and cartridge boxes and forty in wagons, 
and march, on the morning of the 31st, by way of New Castle, to 
the right of the Army of the Potomac. The troops manifest the 
greatest haste, and are anxious to share in the overthrow and cap- 
ture of Lee. At 7 or 8 o'clock on the morning of the 31st, they 
took up the line of march, Brooks' division in front, along the 
river road up the Pamunkey towards New Castle. The country 
appeared rich and prosperous ; the clover was passing from the 
blossom ; the wheat was ripening for the harvest, and the corn was 
tasseling. ' Twelve or fifteen miles out, the corps halted about 4 
o'clock, p. m., for the night, and bivouacked along a warm, sandy 
ridge, covered with oak and pine forests, wheat and corn fields, near 
an old Episcopal church and its parsonage. The parson was at 
home, and claimed to be a Union man. Wishing to see the men 
as they were bivouacking along the road and in the fields and 
woods, Gen. Brooks furnished him with a horse, and, with several 
of his staff, rode with him around among his troops. The parson 
wore an old stove-pipe hat, a swallow-tailed, broad-cloth coat, a 
farmer's satin vest, a white shirt and neck-tie, shining, smooth, 
black doe-skin trousers, white stockings and low shoes. Of mid- 
dle height, he was slim and of red complexion. The General rode 
fast, and the parson's shirt worked out of his vest and his trousers 
worked up. Wherever they passed, the men shouted and cheered. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 197 

In riding the parson beat Ichabod Crane in the Sketch Book. 
We believe he was a Union man ; we see him riding now, and like 
his earnest frankness, his smiling and intelligent countenance. 

The 98th bivouacked in the edge of a wood fringed at the left 
by a little stream. The smoke rose perpendicularly in the calm, 
clear, azure air from our evening fires, and our banners drooped 
along their staves. Long before the bee had left his bivouac under 
the leaf, long before the flowers had opened their petals to the 
morning sun, while that lingering star, with lessening ray, that 
loves to greet the early morn, was shining in the east, we ate our 
morning meal and resumed the march. 

When near the Piping Tree, a staff officer from Gen. Grant came 
riding along our line in hot haste. His orderlies were far behind 
him, his horse was white with foam, and bloody from the spurs. His 
manner indicated the greatest haste, excitement and earnestness. 
His rank was lieutenant-colonel, and his sash and sword-belt placed 
him in the general staff. He inquired for Gen. Smith. We soon 
learned that we were off our road, that there was a mistake in 
giving the order ; instead of going to the right, we must join the 
left of the Army of the Potomac. 

We halted a short time, then, going a little farther, turned to the 
left, and, after marching about ten miles, struck the direct road 
leading from White House to Cold Harbor. This road was wide, 
well made and well traveled. At a point where we turned from it, 
towards evening, to take the Gaines' Mill road, we saw a sign on 
which was painted : " Twelve miles to Richmond ; " and the men 
said: "Let us take that road;" "Richmond is a hard road to 
travel;" li If that's the way to Richmond, what the devil are we 
going to Gaines' Mill for? " 

Following the Gaines' Mill road till near six o'clock, we arrived 
on the battle-ground of Cold Harbor, at the left of the 6th corps, 
and behind the light troops of Sheridan, who had held the posi- 
tion all day. As we approached, we could hear the report of the 
rifles on the skirmish line in front, and we soon after discerned 
the 6th corps in battle. Later, we learned that the troops whom 
we saw in the skirmish belonged to the 9th N. Y. artillery, raised 
in Wayne and Cayuga counties. They advanced in good order, 
with alacrity, fired rapidly, and pressed the enemy back upon his 
intrenchments. 

We had marched twenty-five miles that day, and, though the 



198 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



weather was warm, the roads dry and dusty, we were directed to 
hurry up the men behind, form our ranks, take our position in 
line, and assist in charging and endeavoring to carry the enemy's 
position in front. We moved about twenty rods to the right of 
the road, ate hastily in our hands, sitting and standing, from our 
haversacks, our evening meal, then ranked the files and ranged 
the lines and rested, standing, listening, observing, while 

Rampant War 
Yoked the red dragons to his iron car. 

As the 1 8th corps thus stood in line of battle on the 1st of June , 
at Cold Harbor, its right was commanded by Gen. Martindale, its 
centre by Gen. Brooks, and its left by Gen. Charles Devens. Its 
left connected with the 6th corps, along the Gaines' Mill road ; its 
right was covered by Warren's corps. The battle-field was broad, 
open, undulating, rising gently towards the front. A fourth of a 
mile distant, in the farther edge of a wood, the Confederates had a 
line of rifle-pits and a low breastwork of logs and rails, thrown up 
during the day and the evening before. Behind this first line was an 
open field, and beyond the field about eighty rods, was another 
wood, in the nearest edge of which was the enemy's second line. 

We stand waiting, looking, listening ; the sun 4s less than an 
hour high ; and the light troops, between us and the enemy, are 
engaged in the hazy, dewy, evening air. At our right is the 96th 
and 139th, and at the left the 81st N. Y. vols. 

One of the youngest colonels in the service, E. M. Cullen, com- 
mands the 96th. 

He has ridden all day a light, roan horse ; young, restive, un- 
accustomed to battle. Cullen commanded at Coinjock, while we 
were at Pungo ; and, though he was stationed in North Carolina 
hunting guerrillas, he too has never been in battle. Son of Dr. 
Cullen of Brooklyn, he has had every opportunity to inform him- 
self, and no pains have been spared in his education. Nervous, 
intelligent, steeped to the lips in poetry and literature, he has be- 
come enamored of military glory, and wishes to distinguish himself 
in the field ; but now Bellona, in all her terrible reality, in her 
Gorgon terrors clad, stares him in the face. Far different her 
appearance now from when he saw her first in imagination, at his 
home of ease and luxury in Brooklyn. He becomes embarrassed, 
grows pale ; his horse dashes about in an ungovernable manner. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OFl86l. 1 99 



Riding furiously up to Col. Wead he said : " Do you think they 
intend to take us in battle to-night ?" 
" I have no doubt of it," said Wead. 

"What, after marching all day as we have done!" exclaimed 
Cullen. 

" Certainly," said Wead. 

Cullen rode back; informed his men that they were going to 
fight ; exhorted them to keep in line, obey orders, and preserve 
presence of mind. When the order to advance was given, he be- 
came sick, fell behind and let his regiment go. He was not a 
coward; the fault was in his nervous constitution. We saw him 
often afterwards, during the summer's campaign, on fatigue, in 
skirmish and battle ; his youthful cheeks became embrowned with 
exposure and the sun, until he appeared like the female mummy 
in the Smithsonian Institute. 

After the war Cullen became Gov. Tilden's engineer-in-chief. 

While the low sun was sinking in the west, the 18th corps ad- 
vanced and captured the whole of the enemy's first line. He 
opposed us with rifle and cannon, and fell back before our skir- 
mishers, so that the main troops were not generally engaged. 
While standing within his works in the twilight, eight or ten of 
the 98th were wounded ; among them Captains Gile and Davis. 

Numerous staff-officers hurried to and fro, swept along our line 
in greatest haste and most reckless manner, and ordered to re-form 
the troops and charge the works in front. It was after eight when 
both corps passed on to the second and stronger hostile line. The 
Confederates fought obstinately and held it night put an end to 
the advance, but not to the conflict ; and, standing in arms, we 
kept up a desultory fire all night on the ground we had gained. 

Lossing in his History says, that the army bivouacked during the 
night. Devens at our left, fearing from certain indications in his front, 
a night attack, sent to Brooks for aid. Brooks directed Marston to 
send the 98th to Devens. After nine o'clock, picking our way and 
tangling into a piece of wood, Wead reported to Devens ; all the 
while, far and near, right and left, were constant cannon and rifle 
firing. Roar of cannon, crash of shell, report of rifle, and yell 
of charging enemy were incessant, till late in the night. 

After 10 o'clock, Devens, putting the 98th in charge of one of 
his staff, sent it, marching by the right flank, through the wood to 
support one of his regiments. Soon the rattling of the men among 



200 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

the brush and trees attracted some one's attention in front, 
and he poured a volley down along our line lengthwise. We 
stop ; the ground rises before us, and the aim of the firing is too 
high. Staff-officer says : " These are our men, there is some mis- 
take; wait awhile, and the firing will stop." Firing does not 
stop, and the aim is better. Staff-officer goes to report, hastens 
for orders and instructions, and never comes back. Our position 
is terribly embarrassing, frightfully uncomfortable. Our ignorance 
of the place, the darkness, the wood, the uncertainty, whether the 
firing is from friend or foe, increase the horrors of that night's 
battle. The writer walked from the centre to the head of the 
regiment and asked Col. Wead what the firing meant. Wead 
replied, " We are the victims of some one's blunder." We sug- 
gested : " Let us withdraw the regiment, or fire at the enemy in 
front. We can't stay here and make no reply. Our men are 
being killed, or wounded fast." Wead remarked: "I have no 
orders to do either, they may be our men in front. I am here by 
direction of Gen. Devens, and one of his staff has gone to report 
the facts to him. He will return in a short time. If we are all 
killed, I don't see that I can prevent it, or am to blame for it." 

We asked Col. Wead to have the men lie down. The order, 
"Lie down," was passed along the line, and we returned to our 
position by the colors. Subsequently, Col. Wead joined us there. 
The firing continued ; the range became lower ; the men lying down 
were wounded fast. We all lay down. Col. Wead was struck a glanc- 
ing blow on the shoulder strap by a rifle ball; and, after lying 
senseless for a moment, said to the writer, "I am wounded, take 
the command." We arose immediately, walked along the line, 
and quietly withdrew the men to the lower edge of the wood where 
we had entered. 

In that night's plunder the regiment lost forty-two men, killed 
and wounded: among them Capt. L. A. Rogers; Sergts. Sam'l 
Sherman, Foster Dow, Peter Fritz, Samuel Howes, Joseph Perry, 
and R. S. Cummings. Sergeants Dow and Sherman died June 2d. 

During the night and early morning, Col. Wead and the wounded 
crawled back to the regiment. The more severely wounded were 
carried back half a mile farther to an old barn, beside the Gaines' 
Mill road, where their wounds were dressed and whence they were 
taken in ambulances to White House. 

Nothing could equal the horrors of that night's battle; the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 201 

blundering march into the enemy's intrenchments ; his merciless 
fire ; the cries of our wounded and dying ; the irresolute stupidity 
and want of sagacity of the conducting officer, deepen the plot 
and color the picture. 

The writer's authority for withdrawing the regiment never was 
questioned. 

We rested the 2d day, and the whole army reorganized for 
the 3d. 

Grant desired to drive the enemy from his second line. 

At 4 a. m. of the 3d, he intended to make the attempt, and issued 
his orders accordingly. By that hour on the 3d, the 18th corps 
was formed for the charge in three lines ; first, a heavy skirmish 
line; second, a line consisting of regiments deployed; third a 
line formed of regiments in solid column doubled on the centre. 
The 98th was in the third line. The whole army advanced to- 
gether at sunrise. 

The corps lay that morning in order of battle from right to left; 
the 9th, the 5th, the 18th, the 6th, the 2d. Wilson's cavalry was 
on the right, and Sheridan's on the left towards White House and 
the Chickahominy. 

Within twenty minutes after the order to advance had been 
given, one of the most sanguinary battles of the war, "quick, 
sharp and decisive," had transpired, and ten thousand of the Na- 
tionals lay dead or wounded on the field. By this battle the Army 
of the Potomac gained nothing, but the 18th corps captured and 
held a projecting portion of the enemy's breastwork in front. 
The 98th knew well the ground that it helped to capture; for 
there lay its dead left on the night of the 1st. Within a few 
yards of the line lay privates Strickland, Osterhouse, Drury, Lownds- 
bury, Thomas and others, victims of Gen. Devens' blunder. One 
day's sun had turned them black. 

The men at once began the construction of a breastwork, using 
their hands, tin cups and bayonets. Later, they procured picks and 
shovels. They laid the dead in line and covered them over, and to 
build the breastwork used rails, logs, limbs, leaves, and dirt. The 
enemy's shells, solid shot, and rifle-balls, all the while showered upon 
them and hit every limb and twig about or above them. Nothing 
saved us but a slight elevation of the ground in front. A limb cut 
by a solid shot felled Gen. Marston to the ground. Three boyish 
soldiers, thinking to do the state service, picked him up, and were 



202 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

hurrying him to the rear, when he recovered his consciousness and 
compelled them to drop himself. In a short time he walked slowly 
back to the front. 

In this advance and during the day our regimental flag received 
fifty-two bullet holes, and the regiment lost, killed and wounded, 
sixty-one. Col. Wead rose to his feet an instant on the cap- 
tured line, when a rifle- ball pierced his neck and cut the sub- 
clavian vein. He was carried back to the barn beside the road, 
where he died the same day. 

Frederick F. Wead was the son of Samuel C. Wead, the busi- 
ness partner of Hon. Wm. A. Wheeler. He was in stature 
about five feet five inches, of light complexion, firmly knit, and 
strong. An only son, he had grown up petted, indulged, well- 
nigh spoiled. His experience in the service was of the greatest 
benefit. Camp-life was stripping him of his snobbish, fast and fini- 
cal notions ; and his responsibilities and duties were developing the 
good material in him. Naturally intelligent, shrewd, quick of ap- 
prehension, he promised to become one of the most reliable and 
efficient officers in the army. At the time of his death, his regi- 
ment was one of the largest, best drilled and best handled in the 
1 8th corps. Heckman, Weitzel, Devens, Brooks had rested their 
arm upon it for support. Young, ambitious, hopeful, the patriot 
will drop a tear on his grave. None gave his life more bravely 
and freely than he. 

" How sleep the brave who sink to rest, 
With all their country's wishes blest ! 
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, 
Returns to deck their hallowed mold, 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. 
By fairy hands their knell is rung, 
By forms unseen their dirge is sung ; 
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, 
To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; 
And Freedom shall awhile repair 
To dwell, a weeping hermit, there." 

The army constructed three principal lines of breast-works, va- 
rying from twenty to fifty yards apart. These lines were con- 
nected by deep zigzag ditches or approaches, furnishing secure 
passage back and forth to the different parallels. They were all 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 203 

filled to overflowing with troops, and by the 5th were sufficiently 
strong to defy assault. 

Though the effort to advance ceased on the morning of the 3d 
of June, the firing was maintained, uninterrupted, by both armies 
for several days. 

On the night of the 4th, the 98th moved from the second line 
through the approach to the front line, and relieved the 11 8th 
N. Y. and the 10th N. H. It had barely time to take its posi- 
tion when the Confederates made a night attack along our whole 
front. For twenty minutes before, the rain of shells and balls was 
terrific ; the missiles tore and screamed and sang and howled along 
the air. Every branch and leaf was struck; every inch of the 
trees and breastworks was pierced. Then the firing ceased along 
his line for a few minutes, while the enemy crossed his breast- 
works and formed for the charge, when, 

At once there rose so wild a yell, 

As all the fiends, from heaven that fell, 

Had pealed the banner cry of hell. 

But no living thing could face that rattling shower" of ball 
and shell which poured from our lines upon them. They fell to 
the ground, they crept away, they hushed the yell of battle. The 
horrors of that night-assault baffle description. One may as well 
attempt to paint Niagara or a conflagration, Waterloo or Gettys- 
burg. The roar of our cannon and redoubled volleys surpassed 
the thunder of heaven. 

Lee's effort failed; the battle died away. How his army got 
back and with what loss, history has never written. His wounded 
crawled back to his lines, and a long, gray swath of dead men lay 
before them in the morning. 

During the 5th, an assault was made on the left. On the 6th, 
Burnside and Warren were transferred from the right to the left 
of the army, when another night-attack was made on the right. 
During these efforts the enemy shelled and fired upon our front 
with more than his accustomed energy. 

On the 7th, Grant's line was extended to the Chickahominy, 
near Bottom's bridge, where the enemy was found in force. 

On the night of the 5th, the 98th was relieved by the 21st Conn., 
and ordered to the third line in the rear. Since June the 1st we 
had lived among the dead, and breathed the putrid air. There, 



204 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

for the first, we had an opportunity to eat, to sleep, to wash in 
running water, to change our raiment and feel clean. We com- 
pared ourselves to the young Shunammite, whom Elisha raised. 
During those five days no surgeon came near us. The writer, with 
Josiah Cook, hospital steward, and brother of Sydney G. Gook, of 
Sodus, held the regimental sick-calls in the trenches under fire. 
Some of the sick were sent to the rear, others were allowed to lie 
down in the shade where the breastworks were securest and 
highest. 

Knowing that we were to be relieved on the 5th, we sent Alfred 
Courtright and Isaac to the rear to bring up our satchel to the 
third line, to obtain some food and to prepare a meal for us there. 
We gave them some money, and an order on the brigade commis- 
sary for bread, rice, coffee, sugar and fresh beef. We directed 
them to make some soup, to put some rice with the beef, and stew 
them well in a camp-kettle. We also gave them an order on our 
old friend of the Christian Commission, Rev. Mr. Harris, for a 
bottle of spiritus vini Gallia, or brandy. 

The quarter-master, commissary-sergeant, and company cooks 
received explicit orders to draw, cook and have ready in the third 
line the regimental rations. The aggregate present was over three 
hundred and fifty men. 

We were relieved after three p.m., and it was five before we sat 
down under an arbor in the trench to eat the first rational meal 
for five days. A few tin-plates, cups, knives and forks had escaped 
the general wreck. We used boards from bread-boxes for tables 
and dishes. Officers Stanton, Lewis, Harris, Allen, sat down 
around our camp-kettles, while the enemy's shells and balls were 
whistling over us in the glowing sunlight of that afternoon 

While arranging and adjusting our tables, a solid shot passed 
so near that several of us felt its breath. At the same time, to 
the right, a few rods, a shell exploded in the headquarters of Gen. 
Brooks, wounded one of his staff, and killed an orderly and his 
horse. 

Observing Col. Stevens, of the 13th N. H., member of congress, 
whose regiment lay at our right, watching us with his mouth 
watering, we beckoned him to draw near. He came, followed by 
his major. We pointed to the bottle of spiritus vini Gallici, and 
directed Courtright to obtain a piece of board for the member of 
congress and the major. Stevens took the flowing bowl, that is 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 205 

the bottle, and explored long and complacently, like an astrono- 
mer, the azure depths of the evening sky. "Captain," said he, 
" where did you get that? I haven't ever had anything do me so 
much good in my life. It's five days since I've had anything to 
eat or drink but hard-tack, and this miserable brook-water." "A 
friend of ours in the Christian Commission, four miles away, ob- 
tained it for us of the doctors," we replied. 

Col. Cullen, of the 96th N. Y., who was on the sick-list, and 
whose regiment lay on the left, seeing Stevens drink standing, 
joined us and said: "Captain, what have you?" We replied: 
"Pardon us, Colonel, for not sending for you; we thought you 
supplied. We have spiritus vini Gallici, prepared by the doctors. 
Will you take a glass with us?" " With pleasure," said Cullen ; 
"I love to share a soldier's battle joys." He repeated before 
drinking, from Walter Scott, a stanza of the Soldier's Song : 

Our vicar still preaches that Peter and Paul 

Laid a swinging, long curse on the bonny, brown bowl ; 

That there is wrath and despair in the jolly black jack, 

And the seven deadly sins in a flagon of sack. 

Yet whoop ! bully boys, off with your liquor, 

Drink to the bottom and a fig for the vicar. 

We had barely finished our repast when Capt. Lawrence, adju- 
tant-general of the brigade, approached and saluting us, said : 
" Captain, you are the senior officer of the brigade, and I report 
to you for orders. Every field-officer and every captain of superior 
rank is hors de combat. 1 '' Our command of the brigade lasted 
until the close of the following day. 

June 7th, the 98th returned to the first line, where it remained 
until the evening of the 10th, when it was relieved. On the 12th 
it was marched back to White House. Embarking on the 13th, 
it arrived in the old camp at Bermuda Hundred on the 14th. 

During the twelve days at Cold Harbor, the regiment lost, one 
hundred and twenty-one officers and men killed and wounded. It 
received the highest praise from its brigade and division com- 
manders. 

Capt. L. A. Rogers died of his wound July 9th, at Washington. 
He was a brave and efficient officer. His courage and adminis- 
trative ability were at a premium. Flattering positions were sev- 
eral times offered him on the brigade and division staffs. 



2C6 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

From the 6th, the Army of the Potomac kept extending and 
moving towards the left. After the 18th corps embarked at White 
House, that place ceased to be the base of supplies, and the ties 
and rails of the York river road were sent to City Point. The 
2d and 5th corps crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge on 
the 1 2th and 13th; Wright and Burnside with the 6th and 9th 
corps crossed that river lower down at Jones' bridge, whilst the 
trains, for greater safety, took a longer route and crossed still 
farther down at Cole's ferry. Before the evening of June 16, the 
whole army had crossed the James below Harrison's landing, and 
Lee, with the Army of Northern Virginia, had retired within the 
fortifications of Richmond. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



207 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Administrative Duties — Deceased Soldiers — Marching Orders — Death by Publication — Pro- 
motion — On the Way to Petersburg, and the Method of Marching— The Enemy driven 
within his Intrenchments — Gen. Smith waits for Hancock and the 2d Corps — At Sunset he 
advanced and captured the Enemy's Line — June 16, the 98th ordered to capture Longstreet's 
Grand Division,and the Author refused to do it — A Night of Battles — Sent back again to But- 
ler — The 18th a day of Marching and Countermarching — What the new Position of the 
Army cost — The Crossing of the James by the Army of the Potomac — Petersburg and its 
Roads from the South— On the 21st in the Trenches again — The Enemy makes an Attack, and 
is repulsed — Shelling the Trenches — Corporal Hinman and Gen. Stannard — The Mine and 
Burnside's Failure — The Music of the Ramrod. 

ALTHOUGH back to camp at Bermuda Hundred, and within 
the secure and well-built breastworks, the reader will not 
infer that we shall have an opportunity to rest, or that we shall 
remain there long. During a campaign an officer has but little 
more leisure in camp than on the march ; for his administrative 
duties are often numerous and responsible. He has letters to read 
and answer, reports and rolls to make out, entries to make for 
sick, wounded, absent and returning officers and men; perhaps 
clothing, stores, arms to issue, take up or account for ; orders to 
issue, observe or transmit; subordinates to govern, watch and 
take care of. As soon as the regiment halts the company and 
regimental commanders must set up their desks. 

At Col. Wead's death upon us devolved the responsibility for 
the government property which he carried, and we directed our 
adjutant, D. H. Stanton, to collect together and make an inven- 
tory of his "effects or equipage," and account for them to his 
father in Malone. For the sick and wounded, the company com- 
manders made out descriptive lists and forwarded them to the 
hospitals ; for the dead, they wrote up the accounts in the descrip- 



208 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

tive books and sent final statements of pay and clothing to the 
Adjutant General. 

The 95th Article of War prescribes: — "When any non-com- 
missioned officer or soldier shall die or be killed in the service of 
the United States, the then commanding officer of the troop or 
company shall, in the presence of two other commissioned officers, 
take an account of what he died possessed of above his arms and 
accoutrements, and transmit the same to the office of the Depart- 
ment of War, which said effects are to be accounted for and paid 
to the representatives of such deceased non-commissioned officer 
or soldier." The personal property or effects of a soldier gen- 
erally comprised one blanket, one overcoat, one dress-coat, one 
pair of trousers, one blouse, one pair of shoes, one cap, two pairs 
of drawers, two pairs of stockings, two shirts, two handkerchiefs, 
one pocket-book containing a few dollars. They were usually 
buried in the clothes in which they died, and the loose earth 
thrown hurriedly on them in sadness and respect. We fancy we 
could read in the face of every burial party : As we do to you our 
comrades, so may others do to us. We will meet you again at the 
Great Muster and Inspection, the Great Centennial, when the 
graves shall open and the sea give up its dead. 

" It must be so. Plato, thou reasonest well ; 
Else, whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire, 
This longing after immortality ? 
Or whence this secret dread, and inward horror 
Of falling into naught? Why shrinks the soul 
Back on herself, and startles at destruction ? 
'Tis the divinity that stirs within us ; 
'Tis heaven itself, that points out a hereafter, 
And intimates eternity to man." 

We landed at Bermuda Hundred, and marched to camp on the 
night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. In the afternoon of 
the 14th, we received an order to cook three days' rations, supply 
the men with forty rounds of ammunition in cartridge boxes and 
twenty in pockets, and be ready to march in the morning at four 
o'clock. The rations were drawn, and the cooks set to work. We 
subsequently learned that we were to go to Petersburg, this time 
up the right bank of the Appomattox. 

During the afternoon, we received the New York daily papers 
and the regimental mail. The Lyons papers contained a list of 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 T. 20g 

killed and wounded at Cold Harbor, and the correspondents of 
the dailies had described the battle in their usual off-hand, incor- 
rect and exaggerated way. The writer had the satisfaction of 
reading his name among the killed in the New York Herald. A 
score of men came from the different regiments of the brigade to 
ask how the mistake occurred, and to congratulate him for his 
existence in spite of the New York Herald. " How will you do," 
said Col. Cullen, " if the Herald does not correct the mistake?" 
" I'm sorry you don't belong to the 139th," said Major Mulcahy, 
of Brooklyn," "for we would send for a gallon of Bourbon and 
have an Irish Vake." " You better inform your wife at once of 
the mistake; if you do not she'll do as Annie Lee did in Enoch 
Arden," laughing, roared Col. Stevens. " They couldn't kill you ! 
they couldn't get you down in this Virginia clay," said Col. 
Raulston, of the 81st N. Y. ; "You beat the Rebs and the New 
York Herald. You aie Old Redivivus, and no mistake." We 
tried to repeat : 

Come not when I am dead, 

To drop thy foolish tear upon my grave, 
To trample round my fallen head, 

And vex the unhappy dust thou wouldst not save. 

"Has anything been done about your promotion?" said Gene- 
ral Marston. " Come to my tent this evening, and I'll write to 
the Secretary of War. Your regiment ought to have a field officer 
in command, and if we do not attend to it, your Governor will be 
putting over you some damned politician up there." Gen. Mars- 
ton wrote the recommendation for our promotion to lieut. colonel, 
and Generals Brooks, Smith and Butler approved and sent the 
request forward, but it "ne'er was heard of more." 

We received a letter from the Adjutant General inclosing an 
order which dismissed Major George H. Clarke, June 4th, 1864, 
for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, while at El- 
mira, N. Y. Major Clarke was a favorite of Col. Durkee ; to him 
he owed his promotion. The Major's crime was bigamy ; and the 
men of the regiment said he should have belonged to a Mormon 
organization ; others, that he should have confined his efforts for 
recruits to the sex designated in Army Regulations. Col. Cullen 
was fond of alluding to, "Your uxorious major." 

The reveille sounded on the morning of June 15th at 3 o clock, 
14 



210 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



from division headquarters, and far and near, in wood and dell, on 
field and hill, the call was repeated upon bugle, drum and fife. The 
men hurry for wood and water ; a thousand kettles for coffee and 
meat soon hang over the blazing fire, and the cavalry and artillery 
horses are soon eating from their hanging nose-bags the forage of 
oats and corn. The rank and file pack their tents and baggage 
and carry them to central places for store and guard. Near 4 
o'clock, men and animals have finished their morning meal. An- 
other call issues from headquarters, and the regiments begin 
to take form and line. The men laugh and joke and sing, as if a 
hunt were up. Orderlies and staff-officers riding recklessly in the 
greatest haste, scatter over the fields and through the woods and 
openings, and designate the order of march. All are soon on the 
way ; the cavalry first, the infantry next, and the batteries last ; then 

March the heavy mules securely slow, 

O'er hills, o'er dales, o'er crags, o'er rocks they go. 

We crossed the Appomattox on a pontoon at Point of Rocks, 
and turning to the right, took the river road to Petersburg. As 
we ascended the right bank of the river, a wide prospect of fine, 
well-tilled farm lands lay before us, extending to the James, and 
the morn, in russet mantle clad, walked over the dew of the high 
eastward hills. 

The object of the movement and the nature of the ground de- 
termine the order of march for an army, the kind of troops in each 
column, and the number of columns. 

The advance anr> rear guards are usually light troops, infantry 
and cavalry; tneir strength and composition depend upon the 
nature of the ground and the position of the enemy. They serve 
to cover the army and to hold the enemy in check until the com- 
mander has time to make his arrangements and dispositions. The 
Austrian General Neiperg, who fought against the Great Fred- 
erick, in Silesia, was distinguished for the manner in which he 
surrounded and concealed the movements of his army by clouds 
of light troops and skirmishers. 

On our marches, not in presence of the enemy, the troops 
marched en route by the flank. They were allowed to talk and 
smoke and sing and carry their arms at will, but not to leave the 
ranks. No honors were paid, no salutations made on the march. 

The batteries of artillery moved with the divisions to which they 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 211 

belonged. The field trains and ambulances followed at the rear 
of the corps, and the baggage with the rear guard. Artillery, 
trains or troops halting on the road, formed in file on one side, 
and infantry arriving at their destination formed in close column, 
and took their place in order of battle. Halts to rest and reform 
Were frequent, and the orders given at the head of the column 
were repeated in all the organizations. 

Three or four miles out, we comprehended and ascertained the 
disposition of our advancing forces. Gen. Martindale with one 
division took the right along the river ; at his left was Brooks' 
division; then Gen. Hinks on the left of Brooks, and, last, Kautz 
with his cavalry on the extreme left. The colored brigade of Gen. 
Hinks was in the front, deployed. A thin line of Confederate skir- 
mishers fell back before his advance. From them he captured an 
incomplete line of rifle pits and two brass field pieces. Inspirited 
by this success, we pressed forward with vigor, and by 10 a. m., 
had driven the enemy within his intrenchments before Petersburg. 
We spent the rest of the day taking and leaving positions, skir- 
mishing and pressing closer to the enemy's works. Had Gen. 
Smith, who was in command, ordered us forward, we could have 
captured the city at once. 

The enemy had a strong line of works garrisoned by a few mili- 
tia soldiers. 

Smith waited for Hancock, who had crossed the James the day 
before, below Harrison's landing, with the 2d corps, to come to 
his support ; and as the van of the Army of the Potomac, the 
divisions of Gibbon and Birney approached, near 6 p. m., he or- 
dered his line to advance. 

Marston marched backwards and forwards behind his regiments, 
stopped every rod or two, and counseled his men to keep steady, 
saying : " Don't be afraid ; we are ten to one of the enemy." We 
advanced, and in ten minutes captured four redoubts, two and a 
half miles of the enemy's intrenchments, fifteen guns and three 
hundred prisoners. In this encounter Napoleon Parikee, John 
McCann, Stephen Premo and Daniel Finnigan of the 98th were 
wounded. 

At sunset we stood in the fortifications, and Smith halted for 
the night, though the moon rose full and clear. Had Smith pressed 
forward he could have captured the city, but this delay was the 
turning point of the campaign. Grant said in his final report: 



212 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



" Smith, for some reasons that I have never been able to satisfac- 
torily understand, did not get ready to assault the enemy's main 
line till near sundown." 

From ten until six, the whole army stood in line with loaded 
rifles and shotted guns, waiting the order forward. We all became 
nervous, weary, exhausted, discouraged. To ourselves we appeared 
hesitating, intimidated, while the enemy fortified and reinforced ; 
but when the order came our artillery opened with all its thunder, 
and the whole line advanced at the double quick with a shout. In 
ten minutes the victory was won. 

We slept on the reverse of the captured intrenchments all night, 
heard in our front the sound of moving troops and trains, and in 
the morning a different class of soldiers confronted us; for, during 
the moon-lit watches, Lee's ironsides, crossing the James below 
Richmond, had hurried into the defenses of Petersburg. 

Early in the morning, the 98th was advanced a few hundred 
yards before the picket, along the near edge of a large corn-field, 
and on the farther bank of a stream about twenty feet wide, which 
ran to the Appomattox, a hundred rods to the right. 

We had no sooner placed the regiment in position than Capt. 
Lawrence, Marston's adjutant general, who had accompanied us, 
said : ''Captain, I order you to deploy your regiment as skirmish- 
ers, and capture the Confederate picket line yonder." Then he 
pointed to a line of Confederates, eighty or a hundred rods in 
front, half concealed by the tall corn. We replied : " Gen. Marston 
gave us no such order. We have placed our regiment where he di- 
rected us. He sent you along to see that we executed the order. 
Besides, what you call a picket-line is a line of battle, two or four 
ranks deep behind an intrenchment. Those you call pickets are 
men sitting or walking on the breastwork. We refuse to obey you." 

Capt. Lawrence returned mortified ; in the afternoon he sent 
his apology. 

When the gray of the morning melted into daylight, the bayonets 
of Longstreet's grand division glistened before us through the corn- 
field in the rising sun. We sent to the rear for shovels, and at 
once began the construction of a breastwork. In a few hours we 
covered our front, and felt secure. During the day the Army of 
Northern Virginia entered the intrenchments around Petersburg, 
and the whole Army of the Potomac, with Smith's troops at its 
right, beleagured the Confederates. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 213 

The enemy fired at us from his pickets at intervals, and we 
lost during the day, killed, Corporal De Gray and private Henry 
Otis ; wounded, Sergeant Graves and private Robert Zoller. As 
Corporal De Gray was lying down on the ground a ball entered 
his shoulder, and passing the whole length of his body under the 
skin, came out at the ankle in his shoe. 

Near 4 p. m., the brigade of Gen. N. M. Curtis came to our support 
and formed on the left. He subsequently figured at the capture of 
Fort Fisher. 

At 6 p. m. of that day, the Army of the Potomac was ordered to 
charge the Confederate lines. Meade had received the order at 2 
p. m., but it was near sundown before Hancock's, Burnside's and 
Warren's corps could make the advance. The foe was behind 
earthworks, which were often sheltered by deep, primitive woods. 

Then again occurred one of the severest and most sanguine 
battles of the war. The result was an advance of the Union lines, 
but at fearful cost. From our position, on the top of an old 
barn at the right of the regiment, we could command about a 
mile of the battle-field ; we could see our troops run to the charge, 
and hear them yell and fire. Three times we saw them advance 
and retire. 

The horrors of Cold Harbor were re-enacted ; all night long the 
battle lasted, and all night long we stood to arms. In the woods 
and fields, along the fences, hedges, all that summer's night roar 
of volley and crash of shell were incessant. 

Tumultuous murder shook the midnight air. 

Orpheus in the shades never heard such shrieks, saw such sights, 
or smelt such sulphurous odor. 

From ditch to fence, from field to wood, from rank to intrench - 
ment, leaped the live thunder. Charge after charge was made, 
battle after battle was fought, the earth shook and trembled, and 
the noise of the tumult ascended to heaven. What pen can describe, 
what painter delineate the deeds of heroism, the pains, the anguish, 
the horrors of that summer's night ? Twelve years have not effaced 
from our memory the vision. Imagination stops to trace the 
scene, and the field is repeopled before us. We see them form 
and run to engage the foe ; we see the fire; we see the dead fall to 
the ground and writhe in agony ; we see the wounded fall to the 
ground and rise on their hands and knees, or straggle slowly to 



214 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



the rear; we see the serried ranks, the long line of fire, advance ; 
we see them hurled back in defeat and disorder. 

On the 17th, Brooks' division was relieved by a portion of the 
6th corps, and sent back to Bermuda Hundred. Butler and 
Terry had attempted to cut the Richmond and Petersburg railroad 
at Port Walthall junction ; but Pickett's division, marching from 
Richmond to Petersburg, had fallen upon Terry and compelled 
him to retire. 

Grant, foreseeing Terry's extremity, relieved Brooks' division, 
and sent it back to Butler. All day the 17th, and nearly all night, 
we marched to join Terry. On the 18th, Terry thus reinforced 
advanced and made for Pickett. But Pickett had fortified and 
rendered his pos'tion impregnable. The wise, shrewd and saga- 
cious Terry, deeming discretion the better part of valor, retired. 
All that day, the division marched, countermarched, took posi- 
tions and abandoned them, filed through the woods, debouched 
on the fields, lay down by the fences, or squatted among the 
bushes, hoping to draw the enemy from his position, or to surprise 
any straggling troops on their way to Petersburg. When night 
came, tired, faint, hungry, sleepy, completely dragged out, we 
sprawled back to camp. 

We returned to the right of the Army of the Potomac, along the 
Appomattox, on the 20th, and learned that the position it then oc- 
cupied had cost 10,000 men — from the 16th to the 20th, 10,000 men. 

We have seen how, by successive extensions of its left, the Army 
of the Potomac crossed the Chickahominy and reached the James. 
The second corps, Hancock's, was ferried across that river June 
14th, at Wilcox's landing, a few miles below Harrison's, and im- 
mediately marched to co-operate with Smith before Petersburg, 
while the remainder of the Army crossed, during the 15th and 16th, 
on a pontoon, at Windmill Point, below Wilcox's, 3,580 feet long, 
and wide enough for twelve men or five horses to go abreast. 
About 130,000 men, with their long lines of regimental wagons, 
commissary wagons, ambulances and artillery, successively and 
without confusion passed the stream. Burnside's corps, composed 
partly of colored troops, crossed first, and a vast drove of cattle 
last. During three days the procession continued ; it resembled 
those northern hordes, somewhat, that crossed the Rhine or Danube, 
that supplied their wants from an ever-shifting base, and subverted 
the Roman Empire. Heroes of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 215 

North Anna and Cold Harbor, from their ranks, the old, the fee- 
ble have been stricken out, and bloody, terrible, firm-paced and 
slow, like the tramp of destiny, they move along. 

From the 5th of May to the 20th of June, the Army of the Po- 
tomac had lost 64,000 men ; and the Army of Northern Virginia, 
about 38,000. • The failure to take Petersburg closed the first 
period of the campaign on the south side of the James ; and the 
siege of Richmond and Petersburg began when Lee entered the 
defenses of those two cities, and connected them by a continuous 
line. On the 20th of June, Lee had about 70,000 men, and 
Meade and Butler 150,000. 

If the reader will look at the military map, he will see that 
Petersburg is the centre of many converging roads; that from the 
south there approach, from the Appomattox, below the city, to the 
same river above it, the City Point railroad, the Norfolk railroad, 
the Jerusalem plank road, the Weldon railroad, the Vaughan road, 
the Squirrel Level road, the Boydton plank road, the Southside 
railroad, and several others. All these roads figure in the history 
of the summer's campaign. In August Grant's left lay along the 
Jerusalem plank road, and Lee's lines had reached the Weldon 
railroad. The defensive works from the north side of the James, 
a prodigy of labor, and the admiration of military men, reached, 
subsequently, a development of more than 40 miles, to the vicinity 
of Hatcher's run. 

On the night of the 20th, while we were marching to our old 
position, on the right of the Army of the Potomac, and along the 
right bank of the Appomattox, a mile and a half below Petersburg, 
Butler threw a pontoon across the James at Deep Bottom, and 
with Foster's brigade effected a lodgment ; at the same time, 
Grant, with the 2d and 6th corps, attempted to seize the Weldon 
railroad, but was driven back with a loss of 4,000. At the begin- 
ning of the war, in the days of Big Bethel and Ball's Bluffs, what a 
wail and a howl this loss would have caused. Grant does not 
even mention the affair in his report. 

About this time, Gen. Stannard of Vermont, was assigned to 
command the division. 

On the 21st, we entered the trenches along the Appomattox and 
those extending towards the left, at right angles to the river 
trench. The river was about five rods wide, the right bank nearly 
thirty feet high, while the opposite bank, in possession of the 



2l6 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



enemy, was low and level, and stretched away in meadow lands and 
corn-fields far as the eye could see. The spires of a few churches 
in Petersburg were visible, and a few trains arriving and departing 
on the Richmond railroad. Behind us the country for half a mile 
sank in a valley, then rose in a ridge, on which were the head- 
quarters of the 1 8th corps, and the redoubts and earthworks which 
it captured on the 15th. There also was a battery, belonging to 
our division, of twelve pounder rifled Parrotts, which constantly 
threw shells over our head into Petersburg. 

All set to work at once, digging, burrowing, making bomb- 
proofs and abatis. The enemy's batteries across the river had an 
enfilading fire upon us, and compelled us to build the breastworks 
very high, and traverse them every ten or twelve feet with high 
cross works. Looking at our lines from the rear, they appeared 
like a long succession of stalls. The enemy fired at us constantly 
from rifles, mortars and cannons. 

We had five lines of breastworks, which, eighty rods to the left, 
were contracted into three; and the corps from right to left lay 
in the following order, the 18th, 6th, 2d, 9th, and 5th. 

Gen. Marston became sick and went north ; Col. Cullen took 
command of the brigade. 

On the morning of the 24th, the enemy concentrated upon the 
division a large force, and apparently all his available artillery. 
For three hours he poured upon it a perfect storm of shot and 
shell. The men kept under cover, lay flat on the ground, never 
fired a gun, while the shells tore through the breastworks or 
exploded over their heads. Cullen, with drawn sword and bare 
head, raged and shouted, yelled and hallooed, flamed and tore 
along the line of his brigade. Pie said: " When the enemy stops 
firing, he'll charge upon us. He'll think he has killed us all. 
Then rise and stand firm. Only be courageous. Don't throw 
away your fire ; draw a bead on them. Don't let a man flinch, 
but up and at 'em, and by the living God we'll hold the line! " 
His brigade was along the river bank, and at right angles to it on 
the extreme right, and he felt the importance of his position. 
But louder, deeper, heavier and more destructive grew the enemy's 
fire. Before it the loose and recently built earthworks were 
crumbling and leveling fast. The men were killed and wounded 
by scores. Cullen fainted away, and was carried on a stretcher 
through the zigzag approaches to the rear. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 21 7 



The fire at length ceased ; the foe leaped over his breastworks 
and started on his charge. The division, massed five lines deep, 
rose up behind its intrenchments, and upon seeing the thin line of 
the foe that approached, yelled and shouted : " Come in, Johnnie, 
and we won't fire." About one hundred and fifty came in, and 
the rest fled away to their breastworks, and the battle ended. 

The 98th lost that morning eight men wounded and twenty- 
eight taken prisoners. They were on picket down under the 
bank along the river. 

We remained in these trenches holding that line five days in and 
two days out, until the 30th of July. 

Every night from eleven until three the enemy shelled us from 
his guns in front, and across the river, and our casualties were 
from one to ten a day. 

One night a flaming, blazing, hissing shell dropped behind the 
intrenchment where Corporal Hinman and about a dozen privates 
were standing. Hinman seized the shell and threw it in front over 
the parapet where it soon after harmlessly exploded. Hearing of 
it we sent for him, complimented him, gave him a note, and sent 
him to General Stannard. Stannard looked him over as he stood 
before him, tall and lank, black and begrimed with the dirt and 
smoke of service. "I like such men," said Stannard. "He is 
made of the same material as Arnold Winkelried, Putnam, and 
Boone. They add romance to the routine of marches and battles. 
Their living, self-denying courage gilds even the horrors of war. 
Corporal, here is a pass for five days ; show it to your commander, 
and then go where you please." 

We had heard for a long time that some miners of the 48th 
Pennsylvania vols., in Burnside's corps, were practicing a mine 
under a Confederate fort near Cemetery Hill. We hardly credited 
the account, much less did we expect to be present at the explo- 
sion. On the 29th of July, we were relieved from the trenches, 
and received the usual order to be ready to march, and be pre- 
pared with rations and cartridges. Between eight and nine p. m., 
we began the march along the rear of the lines towards the left. 
After twelve we were halted behind the trenches near the Norfolk 
railroad, in an open wood, and told to make ourselves comforta- 
ble. The adjutant detailed a guard to watch ; the men scattered 
along on the ground, and we lay down among the color guard to 
sleep. 



218 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



At half-past three o'clock, A. m., July 30th, the mine was to be 
exploded, and half of the Army of the Potomac appeared 
massed behind the intrenchments in that vicinity. About 
that time, we were aroused and stood to arms. The fuse was ig- 
nited, and, after waiting an hour, no explosion followed. Two men 
then entered the gallery and relighted the fuse. Near five a. m., 
all watching intently, we saw a large part of the doomed fort rise 
in the air, and heard the explosion. The fort, its guns, its caissons 
and three hundred men were thrown in the air, then buried under 
ground. All the National cannon then opened on the fort and 
the adjacent line for ten or fifteen minutes, when the firing ceased, 
and the assaulting columns moved slowly, feebly, forward. There 
was no order, no method in the advance. The divisions of Potter, 
Wilcox and Ledlie halted, obstructed, blocked the way. Portions 
of several brigades jumbled together, rolled together confusedly 
on the ruins of the sunken fort. Though the enemy ran in con- 
sternation out of his works, but few of our troops went further 
than the fort and the adjacent line. When the foe recovered from 
the shock, he opened his batteries upon our troops rolled together 
like an immense crowd in and around the sunken fort. Shot and 
shell and minie ball made dreadful havoc. Some of the troops 
tried to resist; they repulsed an advancing column of the Con- 
federates. But the concentration of fire upon them was so great 
that to remain or flee was equally fatal. Save himself who can, 
became the order, and the men . fled in confusion back to our 
lines. The affair was a glaring blunder, a conspicuous failure. 
The Nationals lost more than 4,400, and the Confederates less than 
1,000. 

The gallery of the mine was 4^ by 4 feet and 600 feet in length, 
and lined on the sides and top with boards from cracker boxes. In 
the chamber were 8,000 pounds of powder. 

Burnside was responsible for the management of the troops and 
the organization of the assault, but Grant and Meade were on the 
ground. 

After the explosion, the 9th corps, near the mine, was relieved 
for a few days by other troops. The 98th was sent to the front 
through a long approach, and assigned a position before the en- 
trance of the mine. Over the exploded fort, between the breast- 
works and the fort, the National dead not only touched each other, 
but lay in heaps upon each other. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 2ig 

As we entered the approach to go to the front, we heard an 
eight-inch shell, thrown by the enemy from a mortar on Cemetery 
Hill, come through, the air and light among the men of a 
regiment sitting and lying on the ground, near us, and explode. 
It threw out a wagon load of dirt, killed six men and w r ounded 
several others. It tossed one of the dead men like an empty coat 
and pair of trousers, more than fifty feet in the air. 

As we marched up the approach, the enemy directed one of his 
batteries upon it, and tried to explode his shells over our marching 
column. By the bursting of one of these, George McGrath, com- 
pany C, was killed and six others of the regiment wounded. 

When we had gained the front line, we felt more secure, though 
the enemy maintained the fire. 

Many of our men who escaped, and all of the wounded and 
prisoners left their arms on the field around the mine, and, for 
several days, the Confederate soldiers amused themselves in firing 
at us the ramrods taken from the captured guns. This new feature 
in warfare excited a great amount of merriment among the troops. 
The sound of the ramrod singing through the air, " is peculiar." 

On the 2d of August we returned to the old position at the right 
on the Appomattox. 

We have seen so much service now that the sun does not smite 
us by day nor the moon by night. The men sleep on the ground 
in the dew or rain and rise for duty in the morning without any 
sensible inconvenience in member, joint, or limb. The ideal 
soldier has 

A frame of adamant, a soul of fire, 

No dangers fright him and no labors tire. 



220 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Cause and Effect — Col. Cullen's Party — Cullen on our System of Promotion — Extracts from 
our Log-book — A Rain-storm and a Flood — Gen. Ord and one of the Boys of the 98th— 
The Log-book continued — A Letter from Wilkesbarre — The Parable of the Sower — The 
Roll of Honor — Deep-bottom and Ream's Station — Dutcb Gap — The Capture of Fort 
Harrison — Three thousand Negroes capture Spring Hill — The Battle to regain Fcrt 
Harrison — Work on the Fort — The March to Fair Oaks ; the Demonstration there, and 
what it cost — The Battle on the left near the Boydton Plank Road — The 98th goes to 
New York and Troy to keep down Insurrection — Voting in the Army — The Author 
attests the New York Vote in Hospitals — Grant and Butler — Military Operations at a 
Stand, and we sum up — Count the Cost— Dollars and Men — A few Bottom-facts concern- 
ing the contending Parties— Arming the Slaves — The Confederate Dollar — The Responsi- 
bility Fix — The National Dollar — The Election of Mr. Lincoln — War-id .as — Administra- 
tive Duty in the 98th : Promotions and Discharges — The Return of our Old Battle Flag 
to Malone. 

THE history of the 98th, with unabated interest, seems length- 
ening as we go. The admirers of antiquity say that the 
Iliad of Homer contains all human knowledge; writers on social 
science, like Huxley and Spencer, maintain that all worldly events 
are involved and connected together ; and the savans in natural 
science assert that all the changes in the material world are linked 
with each other, that cause and effect are convertible, and that all 
life constitutes a chain, a scale of being. 

'Tis the golden, adamantine chain, 

Whose strong embrace holds heaven and earth and main. 

It was Paley, we think, who, in his Natural Theology, said, that 
the motions of the planets were connected with the roosting of 
barn-fowls. 

So, the history of our little regiment, which on the 1st of Au- 
gust, 1864, had present but 250 men, is connected with that of the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 221 

Army of the James ; the history of the Army of the James, with 
that of the Army of the Potomac ; the history of the Army of the 
Potomac, with the military and civil history of the republic ; and 
the history of the republic involves the advance of society, the en- 
franchisement of the human mind and the social and political life 
of the world. 

During the month of July, the casualties of the 98th were thir- 
teen : one killed, one mortally wounded, five severely wounded, 
and six slightly. On the 6th of July, Lieut. Cassius M. Ransom, 
standing between the writer and Capt. Allen in the trenches, was 
mortally wounded by a sharp-shooter concealed in the top of a 
tree within the enemy's lines. He died, the 14th, in Chesapeake 
hospital, Fortress Monroe. 

About the 12th of July, Col. Cullen, then in command of the 
brigade, "made a party" for a few of the higher officers of his 
brigade, while off duty out of the trenches. From the deserted 
houses within the line, he appropriated a piano, some cane and 
sofa-bottomed chairs, a few dishes, rugs and pieces of carpeting. 
The brigade band rendered its choicest pieces. The best cooks 
of the brigade served the refreshments, consisting of canned meats 
and fruits, boiled corned beef sliced, tea and coffee. All the guests 
were cordially invited several times into a tent near by, where the 
Colonel said "the still waters flow." Cullen had grace, deport- 
ment and airs. 

The next day, he sent for the writer, and the following conver- 
sation transpired: "Captain, you are the senior officer of your 
regiment, and have been in command since the death of Colonel 
Wead, I believe?" We replied affirmatively. " Well, why the 
devil don't you get promoted ?" We remarked, " that several 
recommendations had been sent to Albany asking for an advance- 
ment to the lieutenant colonelcy, but that no notice had been 
taken of them." Said lie, " What are you?" " We have always 
been a Republican, voting, writing, and working as well as we 
could for the party." Said he, " Have you no congressman, offi- 
cials, nor any one else to look after your promotion ?" We re- 
plied, " No, none. Never an official, or member of congress, or 
any one else of political influence in Wayne county, or in the 
twenty-sixth district, looks after any one but himself, and his own 
little political ring. Never has one of those manifested the least 
interest in the welfare of the regiment — never has one of them 



222 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

made any inquiry concerning the regiment, its condition, its 
business, its necessities. Our judge, clerk, sheriff, are as oblivious, 
as ignorant of the 98th, as they are of the cohorts of Caesar. We 
are mercilessly afflicted with a lot of small men up there." Said 
he, " How many men of the regiment were from Wayne county?" 
" Three hundred and twenty-five or fifty." " Who is your Repre- 
sentative ?" said he. " One Theodore M. Pomeroy, of Cayuga-," 
said we. " Have you written him about your promotion?" 
" What is the use of writing him about our promotion, when he 
refuses to answer our letters about other matters, and totally and 
entirely neglects us? We have expected that the Governor would 
act on the request of the generals and the Secretary of War ; we 
have no experience in politics, have no political influence, and do 
not think we ought to beg for what we have earned and deserve." 
'•'Damn the generals, the Secretary of War, and the congressmen, 
too. If I were in your place, if they did not give me my promo- 
tion, I never would work for such a party, nor draw my sword, 
nor risk my life for such a country. Here you are mounted at 
your own expense, commanding the regiment and doing the duty 
of a field officer for months in the regiment, brigade, division and 
corps. I wish to God we had a general like Frederick or Bona- 
parte to re-organize this army and the whole system of promotion. 
The whole thing — the way of promoting — is a sham and a shame. 
No decent man ought to stand it a minute. It don't make any 
difference what duty you do, what risks you run, what your ability 
is. You must log-roll and caucus, and use political influence to 
obtain what you have richly earned before, and what some 
damned lickspittle, or political favorite, can get for nothing. I 
will write a letter to Col. B. C. Gilbert, the appointing clerk for 
Gov. Seymour, and have a few officers of the brigade sign it who 
know you, and we'll get your commission right away." We 
thanked him for the interest he manifested, and remarked, "that 
though not promoted we had a country nevertheless, and felt it 
our duty to stand by the men who had enlisted with us ; that the 
lessons of our youth told us never to prate of our patriotism, or 
of our personal worth, never to seek office, but rather to let place 
and office seek us ; and that we would be unworthy to live unless, 
when the day of our country's peril and calamity came, we should 
freely offer upon its altar our life, our fortune, and our sacred 
honor. Our promotion will some time come ; the longer with- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 223 

held, the more deserved. Bye and bye we shall reap it in the 
iron harvests of the field." 

Cullen did as he said. Our commission was dated July 20th, 
and gave us rank as lieutenant colonel from February 25, 1864. 
We had so long been doing the duty of our new commission that 
its acquisition made no difference with us. We received it, too, 
in -such a way that we never felt thankful for it. The laurel crown 
given by the Pope to the dying Tasso came too late ; the world 
had conceded it before. 

Extracts from Log Book. Aug. 5th, 1864. The regiment lay 
in the second line at work on the pits and trenches. The enemy 
blew up a small redoubt on the left of the division during the 
afternoon. The guns, ammunition, and men were removed from 
it; the troops having received information from deserters that the 
foe had undermined the fort. No other damage was done. The 
whole corps opened a heavy fire of musketry and artillery to which 
the enemy responded with artillery. We hear of three or four 
being killed and twelve wounded on our side. The 98th formed 
at once, and marched to the front for a support. 

Aug. 6. — We lay in the rear line all day and went into the front 
line at dusk, relieving the 139th N. Y. All quiet, but rumors are 
flying that the enemy are digging, undermining our right, along the 
river. They say, holding the ear on the ground, the sound of the 
pick and the shovel can be heard below. Sent Adjutant Stanton 
to learn the facts. He returned, saying the rumor was all " bosh." 

Aug. 7. — Lay in the front line. All quiet during the last night 
and this day. Duty monotonous and time slow. 

Aug. 8. — Lay in the front line through the day. All quiet 
during the night. Was on court of inquiry at corps headquarters. 
While there we saw a great number of recruits and several new 
regiments from the north, marching towards the left. 

Tuesday, Aug. 9. — Returned to camp last night about 9 p. m., 
in the ravine. We heard heavy firing at the left in the vicinity of 
Fort Hell. A charge and a repulse perhaps. "There the worm 
dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." About 11 a. m., we 
heard a tremendous explosion in the east, and saw large volumes 
of smoke and dust rise in the air. We learned during the day 
that these proceeded from the gunpowder explosion at City Point. 
Detailed for fatigue, to work on the breastworks and trenches to 
night, three officers and 120 men. 



224 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Aug. io. — Was division officer of the day; Capt. Lewis left in 
command of the regiment, which went to the front in the evening. 
The weather pleasant, but extremely warm. The new moon lasted 
until ii o'clock. Was awake all night, and saw a grand display of 
meteors. Walked along the picket-line in the gray starlight twice ; 
once at 12, again at 3 a. m. The pickets on half the division front 
are only five or six rods from the enemy's. Neither party fires after 
dark at the other. As we walked along we unhooked our sword, 
and let it clank on the ground. Every man of the enemy's picket 
was awake, and showed the keenest attention. His officers viewing 
us askance, glared defiantly as we passed. Captains Wells and 
Allen had charge of the brigade picket ; no better officers for that 
purpose ever shook the heavy dews of slumber from their comrades 
and watched while an army slept. The tiresome hours of that 
night's long and sultry watch made us hail with joy the first glint- 
ings of the day in the east ; for then we all hurried away within 
our lines, and the crack of the rifle, the roar of the cannon, the 
whiz of the ball and the scream of the shell began. 

Aug. 11. — A member of the 8th N. C. vols, came and delivered 
himself a prisoner to Lieut. Copps, 98th, on picket. He said his 
regiment had been on the front line nearly a month without being 
relieved, that it was poorly clothed, and not half fed. He 
says: "The Confederates have made a second line of trenches in 
rear of their first, in case we should blow up their works ; that they 
are mining at the left of our division where the City Point and 
Petersburg railroad crosses the line of battle, and that, day before 
yesterday, they had dug 40 or 50 feet under ground." This mine 
is near the .one exploded on the 5th, adjoining Fort Steadman. 
Fort Steadman was the work attacked and captured by Gen. Lee, 
March 25th, 1865 ; and around it began those battles which re- 
sulted in annihilating the Army of Northern Virginia. It was a 
powerful earthwork, complete in every respect, abatis, ditch, 
embrasure, bombproof, magazine, high protecting traverses and 
parapet. The fort stood about 100 rods to the left of the Appo- 
mattox, and not where Draper says, near Burnside's mine, three 
or four miles further to the west. Less than three hundred feet 
from the enemy's line, on loose, sandy.soil, it was a tempting object 
for his mining projects. When we went through it in August our 
troops had sunk several shafts in it for the purpose of countermin- 
ing. In recapturing this fort, March 25th, 1865, from the troops 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 225 

led by Gens. Gordon and Bushrod Johnson, Gen. Hartranft, now 
Governor of Pennsylvania, with his division, won his most sub- 
stantial laurels. 

We pass over a few days of our sojourn in the pits or trenches, 
and stop at Monday, Aug. 15th, 1864. The reader has doubtless 
read of the great rain which fell in the time of Noah, when the 
water stood upon the earth, also of the rain storm with thunder 
and lightning which King Lear encountered on Dover heath. We 
suffered a similar inconvenience from a great rain on that day. 
The thunder rolled and the lightning flashed ; the rain fell in sheets 
and torrents ; the bending heavens broke and the clouds fell. The 
storm began about 3 p. m., and continued for three hours. The 
ravine in rear of and parallel to the trenches was flooded, and the 
pits were filled with water from one to two feet deep. The flood 
rose so rapidly in the ravine that men, stores, tents, sutlers and 
their goods, were washed away and poured into the Appomattox. 
Four men were drowned, and a vast amount of stores destroyed or 
carried away. The valley was narrow, and the sight of men and* 
animals struggling, floundering, sinking, swimming in the rising, 
boiling, roaring flood, was by turns ludicrous and painful. The 
efforts of a sutler and his clerk to save his wares excited infinite 
merriment. His tent went down, but he struggled manfully and 
saved it. In the valley, were scattered the cooks and ready stores 
of the division. When the rain descended and the flood came, 
they struck for higher ground. It was amusing to the men 
to see them work like beavers, hurry, run, carrying their traps 
and stores, good for nothing else, as they were, but to cook. 
Down in the ravine too, a few malingerers, professionally sick men, 
were drowned out. Some of these had fine quarters, shelter tents, 
and boards to sleep on. Tenting thus with the cooks, and staying 
in the rear, playing sick, they called keeping along with their regi- 
ments. Whenever one of those carrying his earthly effects joined 
his regiment, the men shouted, laughed and jeered. The storm 
over, we began a system of draining, dyking and canalling. Simi- 
lar work, perhaps, the Dutch have when the ocean overflows his 
barriers. 

Aug. 16. — Still in the front line. The pits are dreadfully muddy 
since the rain. Jonah never had a tighter, a straighter, a more 
uncomfortable place than we. 

Aug. 17. — A constant fusilade, cannonade and bombardment 
15 



2 26 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

all day. Ft. Clifton, three or four miles away, opened for the 
first with a Whitworth gun upon the line. Corp'l John Young, 
co. K., shot in the hand; private Nelson Butchard, co. F., 
wounded in the hip, and John Nero, co. A., in the left ear. Rain- 
ing in the afternoon : the bomb proofs are fearfully damp and 
horridly muddy. We do not get relieved. 

Aug. 18. — Still in the front line, and with no prospect of getting 
relieved, except by the enemy. His firing was long and heavy 
during the night. He opened with new batteries, and threw 
shells which burst right and left among the men in the trenches, 
but which fortunately did no injury. We heard heavy firing to 
the rear of Petersburg. Reported, Wright's corps has turned the 
enemy's right. 

Aug. 19, Friday. — The Confederates tried their shelling again, 
about3 a. m., louder, deeper, than before. Orderly Serg't Thomas 
Tait, co. K., had the back of his head scooped out by a shell as 
he stooped over to avoid it; and Thomas Tacy, co. G, was 
wounded by a piece of a shell. By the explosion of another in the 
pits of co. D , four men were thrown prostrate on the ground, and 
for half an hour "reeled soul and sense, reeled brain and eye." 

Aug. 20. — The shelling was not so long, nor so loud, nor so 
well sustained as last night. Four recruits from New York joined 
the regiment, and were assigned to cos. B. and D. " The rain it 
raineth every day," and keeps the pits wet and muddy. Take a 
man, rig him with the U. S. uniform, and roll him in a pool of 
mud, or dip him in a tanner's vat, and leave him sufficiently 
long for thorough saturation, ingraining and dyeing, and you will 
have a fac-sh?tile of a majority of the soldiers living in the trenches 
about Petersburg. In the French infantry service, the soldier 
wears his great coat three years, in the Sardinian and Belgian 
armies that garment lasts eight years. But a day's service here is 
sufficient to spoil any article. Gen. Ord, who now commands the 
corps, with his chief of artillery, inspector general and Gen. 
Stannard, the division commander, passed through the trenches 
from right to left along the line to-day. They stopped for a few 
moments near the centre of the 98th, making observations, looking 
at our line, the enemy's works and the bomb proofs and pits. 
While there, a boyish soldier of co. H., overgrown, stout and 
greasy, whose clothes had all the hues of an autumnal forest, 
turned towards Gen. Ord, who stood near him, and, looking the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 I. 22 7 

general good-naturedly and respectfully in the face, sang these 
lines : 

Take this letter to my mother, 

Far across the dark blue sea; 
It will give her heart new pleasure ; 

She'll be glad to hear from me. 

Ord smiled, and turning to the writer, said, aside : " Colonel, 
what is the best thing I can do to him for his mother?" After an 

instant we replied: "I should think 
to order him washed." "You make 
a good suggestion ; when you are re- 
lieved have him washed and send him 
to our headquarters with a note for a 
suit of new clothes. See to it, will 
you, Colonel?" We saw Gen. Ord 
frequently while in Richmond in 1865, 
and on one occasion he said : 11 1 
often think of that soldier's singing in 
your regiment by Petersburg in the 
trenches. Covered with clay and dirt, 
ord good-natured, humorous, contented, 

happy, his singing and whole appearance were perfectly killing. 
Dickens cannot beat him." 

Aug. 21, Sunday. — Very heavy firing on the left from daylight 
until 10 a. m., when the batteries opened successively towards the 
right to Fort Clinton. We replied with infantry and artillery to 
prevent their massing troops. In the afternoon reports say that 
Warren with the 5th corps is driving the enemy on the left. We 
anticipate an attack on our front, and are cautious and extremely 
vigilant. The regiment has 270 present, 27 sick, 239 present for 
duty and 185 effective for the field. 

We have thus copied rather freely from our notes that the reader 
may comprehend better our life in the trenches around Peters- 
burg. We divided the day and night into tours of duty, and all 
slept and watched by turns, for more than two months in the 
trenches, burrows, pits, and caves. We lived and ate and looked 
like troglodytes. The sun and storm, the dews of heaven, the 
hot, malarial air made our hair grow like eagles' feathers, and our 
nails like birds' claws. We had no conveniences as, chairs, stools, 




228 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



tables, kitchen furniture and utensils. We sat on banks of earth 
covered with blankets, and ate from tables made of boxes and 
barrels, or carved from the solid ground. In eating, it has been 
said that the Great Napoleon sometimes made use of his left hand 
instead of a fork. In this infraction of the rules of table etiquette 
we imitated the Great Captain. 

The army ration was full and regular. The regiment was paid 
in July. 

The division had excellent opportunities for washing and bath- 
ing in the creek which we have described behind it, and in a few 
sheltered arms of the Appomattox. The river loaded with the rub- 
bish, the cast-off clothing, the dead mules and horses of the Confede- 
rate army about Petersburg rolled away through our corps with its 
deadly rinse, reeking and steaming in the hot, malarial air. 

The river Rhine, it is well known, 
Doth wash the city of Cologne; 
But say, Ye Nymphs, what power divine 
Shall henceforth wash the river Rhine ? 

On the 26th, the division was relieved at 8 p. m., and directed to 
march to Bermuda Hundred in the vicinity of Dutch Gap. Arriving 
there about 4 A. m., it bivouacked in a wood. During the 27th, it 
marched three or four miles through the woods towards Point of 
Rocks, and at an angle of Butler's defences went into camp. There 
we remained until the last of September, doing fatigue, guard, and 
picket duty. It needed rest to collect the men, refit, and 
re-organize. 

While at the explosion of the mine, we were required to furnish 
a detail to bury the dead between the lines in front of the de- 
molished fort. Lieut. Sperry had charge of the party. Returning 
he handed us a memorandum book taken from the side-pocket of 
a young lieutenant killed the day before. Our burial party dug a 
trench seven feet wide, about two feet deep, and sufficiently long to 
hold the dead conveniently near. Similar trenches were dug by 
the different parties. In them, they laid the dead side by side 
crosswise, and covered them over with dirt ; and that is the way 
the dead were often buried between the two armies. From the 
note-book we learned that the lieutenant lived at Wilkesbarre, 
Penn., and that he had recently been home on a leave of absence. 
Further, the book contained four or five letters, all in the same 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 229 



hand, addressed to him, and a photograph of an exceedingly beau- 
tiful lady, of full figure, dark-complexioned, intellectual, affection- 
ate and elegantly dressed. She was a daughter of one of the coal 
miners, or coal merchants of that vicinity; for in one of her letters 
she speaks of visiting New York and Philadelphia with her father 
while negotiating his coal. She signed her name Myra, and there 
seemed a world of fascination, constancy and loveliness in her lips 
and eyes, and the luxuriant waves and folds of her dark brown 
hair. We make a copy : 

Home, July, 1864. 

Darling, all my own : — I think my promise made to you ought not 
to be kept, and still I am making the attempt. How much I enjoyed 
my little visit Wednesday with you between the hours of three and four ! 
Golden hours they were to me. How pleasant our short walk, how 
bright the sun and how glorious the mountains. Oh, that this day 
might foreshadow our lives ! What are we to do, how are we to live ? 
I cannot bid you go, I cannot have you stay. I have faithfully tried to 
give you up, fearing it wrong to love you better than your duty, your 
country and your honor. Were I assured that I shall see you again I 
could be resigned. Could I go with you, share your bed on the hard 
ground, your duty in camp, on picket, or facing the storm of deadly 
lead, it would not be so difficult. Then I should be with you, know 
your danger, share your wounds and death. But no, 1 must stay here ; 
and something tells me, something — a presentiment — warns me, and my 
eyes are filled with tears. I know not why I am so sad. 

I try to give up loving you so dearly, but my love is increasing, poor 
me. I'll try to be stoical and write, " do leave to me, my precious one, 
and see if we cannot get the better of our circumstances, and be rea- 
sonable once more." Thus you write, and so we could, were it not for 
that deep foreboding evil which breaks down my effort. Oh, the agony 
of this horrid war ! 

" Let us try and understand ourselves," you say, " and become 
masters of our love and passion.'' I am thinking of you all the day 
long. I will be resigned. At this time, 9 p. m., I shall always have you 
with me; your dear face will always be close to mine, and life, even as 
it is, shall be endurable, because I feel and know you love me. Go, I 
must say, go. I'll walk the picket's dangerous round with you, and the 
ball that wounds you shall strike me also. I cannot write any more to- 
night. I send you many kisses ; may your sleep be sweet. I hope to see 
you once before you go. Darling, good-night. Myra. 

The parable of the sower has its exemplification in martial as 
well as in civil life, and the worth of the soldier is measured by 



23° 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



his intelligence, endurance and fortitude. The men who passed 
through the campaign of 1864 with the Army of the James, deserve 
honorable mention in their country's annals, and a golden medal* 
To him who first scaled the walls of a beleaguered city the Romans 
gave a mural crown ; and among the Greeks a hundred acts re- 
ceived honorable mention in their public assemblies. 

We mention with pleasure the following officers of the 98th, who 
passed with credit the fiery ordeal of that summer's campaign, and 
challenge any other organization in the service to set an equal 
number of names beside them : Capts. Lewis, Atkins, Hildreth, 
Allen ; Lieutenants Stanton, Copps, Angevine, Oakley, Beaman, 
Harris, Wells, Sperry, Benton, Hickok, Short. Lieut. Stanton was 
one of the coolest men that ever served his country under fire. 

Capts. Gile and Davis, wounded at Cold Harbor, returned about 
Aug. 1st, and remained through the campaign ; Capt. Wm. H. 
Rogers was on duty at Fortress Monroe from June 14th until Aug. 
29th, when he returned and remained with the regiment constantly 
until it was mustered out. Lieut. D. D. Mott was brigade com- 
missary, detached from the regiment. Drs. Van Rensselaer and 
Hovvland were with the regiment or on duty in the field hospitals. 
Capt. Anderson and Lieuts. Ames, Sneed and Smith were absent 
all summer, sick. Lieut. Zeno I. Downing was tried by court 
martial in August, and cashiered Oct. 14th, 1864, for disobedience 
of orders and neglect of duty. Tired and sick of the service, Lieut. 
Sneed, who had been sick most of the summer, tendered his resig- 
nation Sept. 1st. His communication went to division headquarters ; 
but Gen. J. B. Carr, of Troy, New York, who was then in temporary 
command, thinking it out of order to resign at such a time, re- 
fused to forward the letter, and returned it to us. Whereupon we 
made the following endorsement upon it, and sent it forward 
again : 

Headquarters, 98TH N. Y. Vols., ) 
1st Divis., 1 8th Army Corps, Sept. 9, 1864. j 

Respectfully returned, with the request that the communication may 
go to department headquarters. Lieut. Sneed has done no duty since 
we returned from Drury's Bluffs, May 16th, except staying in the 
trenches two or three days before Petersburg. 

On the 29th of July, he started with the regiment to join the 9th corps 
at the explosion of the mine ; about 10 p. m., he fell out without permis- 
sion of the surgeon or of the commanding officer of his company or 



/ 

/ 

FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 23 1 

regiment. For this he was tried by court martial and acquitted, in 
general orders, 105 headquarters, 18th army corps, though he con- 
fessed the charge. Our regimental surgeon refuses to give him a cer- 
tificate of disability. If we orderhim to duty when not reported "sick,'' he 
can do as he pleases about performing it ; for a general court martial 
has found him " sick " when arraigned, and that on the evidence of per- 
sons out of the Medical Staff. 

Lieut. Sneed's second reason for tendering his resignation, under 
general order 73, chap, vi., section 2, series 1863, War Department ex- 
empts him from draft, and entitles him to a discharge from the service 

if he choose to take advantage of it. — 

Lieutenant Colonel, commanding reg't. 

Upon this General Carr made the following endorsement : 

Headquarters ist Division, 18th Army Corps, } 
September 10, 1864. } 

Respectfully forwarded with the request that Lt. Sneed be dishono- 
rably discharged the service of the United States. J. B. CARR. 

Major General Gibbon, who is now figuring among the Indians 
on the^plains, was then in command of the corps temporarily, and 
made the following order in the case : 

Headquarters 18th Army Corps, } 
In the field, Virginia, September n, 1864. j 

Respectfully returned. This officer, if not reported sick by his regi- 
mental surgeon, will be ordered to duty and compelled to obey or 
arrested and charges preferred against him. The Major General com- 
manding does not desire to forward to department headquarters an 
endorsement to the effect that an officer in this command can do as he 
pleases about obeying orders. 

By command of Maj. Gen Gibbon. 
Theodore Read, Assistant Adjutant General. 

Lieutenant Sneed remained with the regiment, and was sick or 
well as he pleased, performed such duty as he liked, until January 
4, 1865, when his resignation was accepted. It was our idea from 
the first to accept his resignation and give another man his place. 
Had the communication reached Butler he would have canceled at 
once Sneed's engagement with the government. 

Capt. Anderson was discharged September 7, Lt. Ames, Septem- 
20, and Lt. Smith, September 7, by the President, after receiving 
the following statement : 



232 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

Headquarters 98TH N. Y. Volunteers, } 
Near Petersburg, Va., August 18, 1864. ] 
General : — I have the honor to report that the following officers 
have been absent from the regiment, sick, more than sixty days, andj 
therefore, come under the provisions of paragraph 1 1, General Order 
100, series 1862 War Department. 

Capt. James H. Anderson was absent, sick in hospital, from May 27 
to August 4, 1864, when he returned to the regiment, with which he is 
now, unfit for duty. 
Lieut. Oscar P. Ames is absent, sick, since June 14, 1864. 
Second Lieut. Isaac Smith is absent, sick, since June 14, 1864. 

Very respectfully, 

Lieut. Colonel commanding regiment. 
To Brig. Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, 
Adjutant General, U. S. A , Washington, D. C. 

During the months of August and September, Grant made 
several attempts to extend the flanks of his army ; the right was 
thrown across the James at Deep Bottom, and the left, capturing 
the Weldon railroad, pushed on to the Boydton plank road; 
August 18, Hancock and Gregg demonstrated against Richmond 
from Deep Bottom, and withdrew, after losing about five thousand 
men; at the same time, Warren, with the 5th corps and a part of 
the 9th, seized and held the Weldon road. Hancock returned 
from the north side of the James to the assistance of Warren, and 
August 25th fought the battle of Ream's station. The Weldon 
road, Hatcher's run, Ream's station were like an immense morass 
where, during two months, more than twenty-five thousand troops 
Ave re lost. 

For a month after, the opposing armies were comparatively 
quiet. On September 17th, the Confederate pickets yelled at 
ours: " Yanks, have you got any beef?" "Do you want some 
beef?" " How does your beef go ? " " Will you trade coffee for 
beef?" 

During the day, we learned that Wade Hampton, sweeping 
down with his cavalry near Sycamore church, on the 16th, had 
captured 2,500 beeves feeding opposite Harrison's landing. 

Butler's batteries on the south side of the James commanded the 
north shore in the vicinity of Aiken's landing, and Dutch Gap. 
At Dutch Gap, August 16th, Butler set a number of negroes dig- 
ging a canal. There, by cutting through a neck of land less than 
300 feet across, he hoped to flank several important works of the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 233 

enemy, avoid the formidable obstructions in the river, and save a 
circuit of seven miles. The bank was from 30 to 50' feet high, 
and he dug the canal 60 feet wide and 10 feet below the surface of 
the water. His working parties were negroes, convicts and priso- 
ners. They cut the shore into bomb proofs, caves, pits and honey- 
combs ; for the enemy annoyed them constantly with shells from 
the Howlett house and the batteries on Fox's islands. The Confed- 
erates had the range of the canal precisely. We have seen them burst 
their shells half a mile high, directly over the channel. Night and 
day we could see at any time a display of their skill as artillerists. 

Sept. 28. — Pickets detailed but not mounted, fatigue parties sent 
back. At 10 a. m., the corps was ordered to be ready to march at 9 
p. m., with three days' rations, and sixty rounds of ammunition. 
At nine, the division marched to the James at Aiken's landing, 
and rested on its bank while the engineers constructed a pontoon. 
At daylight it crossed the river on the pontoon muffled with hay, 
grass and straw. While the 18th corps, under Gen. Ord, crossed 
the James at Aiken's, the 10th corps, under Gen. Birney, crossed 
at Deep Bottom; and while the 18th followed the Varina road 
over Chapin's farm, the 10th struck for the New Market Heights 
and Spring Hill. 

Sept. 29. — At 7 A. m., Ord engaged the enemy at Fort Harrison 
and Birney at Spring Hill, and by 10 A. m. they had captured the 
whole of his first line. 

Carr and Gibbon left the corps a few days before the battle ; and 
Ord's commanders of divisions and brigades that day were Stan- 
nard, Burnham, Heckman, Weitzel, Roberts and Col. Stevens. 
His corps captured 300 prisoners and 22 heavy cannons. Ord 
and Stannard were wounded, and Gen. Burnham killed. Col. Ste- 
vens, 13th N. H. vols., commanded our brigade. 

Weitzel assumed command in place of Ord, and pushed the 
forces against Fort Gilmer in the second line, but he was repulsed 
with the loss of 300 men. 

Butler went with Birney, and at Spring Hill placed 3,000 negroes 
in column of division under Gen. Paine, and moved them forward 
against the redoubt on that hill. They swept with a shout across 
a marsh, over a stream fringed with trees and bushes, and carried 
the work at the point of the bayonet. This was the key to the 
Confederate defences, and ended the contest in that quarter for 
the day. 



234 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



This storming party of black warriors lost fearfully, and dead or 
wounded, they left a third of their number on the hill. We passed 
along the road the next afternoon, near where they yet lay in con- 
tinuous swathes and lines, their faces to the front and their backs 
to the field. 

In that engagement the 98th had nine killed, two mortally 
wounded and fifty-one wounded. It was in the first line, and 
among the first to enter Fort Harrison. Gen. Stannard 
marched on foot with the 98th. We sent to division head- 
quarters two Confederate flags which it captured in the fort. 
Captains Lewis, Rogers, and Lieutenant Stanton, in fact, all the 
officers, rendered important service. 

The new position of the regiment was four miles from Aiken's 
landing, one from the James and six from Richmond. The 
bottom lands extended from the river to Fort Harrison, which 
stood on the brow of a bluff. In the attack our troops marched 
through an open field, every foot of which was commanded by the 
guns of the enemy. At first he poured upon them minie balls, 
shells and solid shot, and, as they approached, he changed to grape 
and canister. 

September 30. — Spent last night digging, clearing away the 
ground and getting ready for the charge which we hear the enemy 
intends to make. The Confederates massed a large force under 
Gen. Lee's supervision and endeavored to re capture Fort Har- 
rison. Their Generals, Hoke and Field, commanded the charging 
party. They were repulsed with but little loss to our troops, but 
with almost annihilation of some of their regiments and brigades. 

During the morning of the 30th, the division worked with the 
greatest haste and energy under fire from the batteries on the river, 
and from rifles and mortars in front. They leveled the old para- 
pet and tore down the barracks and constructed a line of fortifica- 
tions a little in advance and faced towards the enemy. By two 
o'clock the defensive breastwork was three feet high. 

About that time the enemy began to collect and arrange, under 
General Lee, his forces in our front. A few minutes later we 
could distinguish three separate, well arranged lines, one behind 
the other, twenty-five or thirty rods apart, and of which the first 
was distant from ours not more than fifty rods. We poured upon 
them a storm of missiles from our rifles and cannons all the 
while. The sublime and the ridiculous are often mingled, at least 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 235 



they are but a step apart. A Confederate officer was very busy 
riding hither and thither on a white horse, placing the regiments, 
carrying orders from rear to front, ranging the lines and ranking 
the files. Him our men marked. He fell to the ground, and his 
old white horse, frightened, started off at a gallop for our line. 
Halting near us, he was caught and taken in. This was a happy 
omen: we had captured their palladium and divined the result 
of the day. The men yelled, shouted, and made the welkin 
ring. 

We see the foe apparently ready. Why does he delay so long? 
A full half hour he stands waiting in his serried lines. It is four 
o'clock, when, from far behind, a bugle sounds the advance. It is 
taken up by drum and fife ; low, murmuring sounds along their 
banners fly, and the heavy embattled lines move forward — still as 
the breeze, but dreadful as the storm. Notwithstanding our fire, 
they approach, and their line of battle is unbroken. 

We have but two half covered lines to meet his three ; ours are 
all veterans, exulting, flushed with victory, defiant, and never a man 
looks behind him. 

Still the gray-backs c$me marching on; the ground seems to 
shake under their feet ; the fate of the Republic may depend upon 
their charge. They are within twenty rods of us now, marching 
and unbroken. A rider, a division commander, perhaps, dashes 
out before the second line formed of regiments in column and 
commands, high and loud, distinct and clear as a silver horn : 
" Movement by battalion — deploy columns. By the right and left 
flanks. March!" 

That movement, in our front and under our fire, was fatal. That 
officer never saw his columns together again. They collided, 
they recoiled, they fell, they fled. Nothing could exceed the ra- 
pidity and precision of our fire. When our men rose to discharge 
their pieces, their countenances wore an unearthly aspect, and 
when they saw the enemy broken and scattered they clenched their 
hands, gnashed their teeth and smiled grimly. 

No subsequent charge was made. When the evening came we 
placed our guards a few rods in front, lit our fires, and ate our 
evening meal along the line. 

The night was dark, rainy and cold. The enemy's wounded 
were uncared for. Two days afterward, our burial parties, without 
truce, but unmolested, passed over the field and gathered them in. 



236 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Of them we remember one poor fellow of the Richmond guards, 
dressed in citizen's clothing, who was laid near us. A minie 
ball had passed through both temples just behind his eyes, and yet 
he lived and recovered. 

The regiment remained at Fort Harrison, the name of which was 
changed to Fort Burnham, for about a month, doing duty in the 
trenches or on picket. For that time no movements of importance 
were undertaken by either army, and the soldiers had a season of 
rest. 

Pursuant to orders, the regiment started Oct. 27th, 5 a. m., from 
Fort Burnham, and, after marching to the right of the 10th corps, 
struck the old Williamsburg road at Fair Oaks, and moved about 
two miles towards Richmond. The troops in this movement were 
the first and second divisions of the 18th corps. 

The 98th lay all the afternoon under a heavy artillery fire, and 
had three men wounded. Towards evening it retired and crossed 
over to the Charles City road, along which, after marching a short 
time, it bivouacked for the night. It rained, nearly all day and 
night, and the water stood on the ground. On the 28th our 
forces manoeuvred around through the w6ods, took positions here 
and there to attract the attention of the enemy, until two o'clock, 
when they withdrew and retired to their old camps. In this feint 
the 1 8th corps lost nearly two brigades captured by the enemy. 

While our corps was demonstrating thus, Grant, with the 9th, 
2d and 5th corps, fought the unsatisfactory battle of the Boydton 
Road. Lee claimed a victory, and Grant said he had accomplished 
his object. 

The reader will recall that the second election of Mr. Lincoln 
occurred in November, 1864, and that Gen. Butler was sent to 
New York with a portion of his forces to prevent riots and other 
disturbances on election day. The 98th, 96th, 92d, and 81st, 
among other regiments, were selected by Butler and taken to New 
York. The 98th embarked at Deep Bottom, November 2d, on 
the steamer Wm. Irvine ; November 4th, it was transferred to the 
steamer Constitution, in Hampton Roads ; November 5th, it 
landed and entered Fort Richmond in New York harbor ; Novem- 
ber 6th, it set out for Troy, and arriving there went into garrison 
at the Watervleit Arsenal; November 13th, 11 p. m., all on a train 
of cars at Troy, horses, baggage, and men, we informed the con- 
ductor that we were ready, and he rolled us away to New York 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 237 

again; November 15th, on board the steamer Perit, we were out 
on the broad Atlantic, sailing over the ocean blue ; November 
17th, we arrived at Deep Bottom, and landing, bivouacked for the 
night; and, on the 18th, we went into camp again at the right 
and rear of Fort Harrison. 

On our return, we found Gen. Charles Devens in command of 
the division, and Lieut. Col. Raulston, 81st N. Y., of the brigade. 
The troops left in camp fared better than those who went north. 

During the month of October, Lieuts. Oakley and Wells were 
promoted captains; S. S. Short, Clark B. Colwell were ad- 
vanced to first lieutenants, and Captain Wm. H. Rogers was 
mustered major. 

In November, Lieut. G; H. Booth was promoted captain, George 
H. Benton, first lieutenant ; Henry R. Thompson, second lieu- 
tenant, and the writer advanced to the full grade of colonel. 
Lieuts. E. M. Copps, Frank Angevine, Alba Harris, D. D. Mott, 
were promoted captains, and B. S. Powell, H. R. Thompson, 
were made first lieutenants, in the last month of the year. 

During November, the 98th lost by expiration of term of service, 
Capts. Hildreth, Davis, Gile, and Lieut. D. H. Stanton ; and 
during the month of December the following officers for a similar 
reason : Capts. Lewis, Allen, Hickok, Booth, and Lieut. Case. 
Capt. Atkins was discharged December 1st, on surgeon's certificate, 
and Assistant Surgeon, J. W. Gray, was promoted surgeon, 65th N. 
Y. vols. During the same months the term of service of more than 
fifty privates expired. 

The regiment needed reorganization after the severe and pro- 
tracted campaign. We forwarded to Albany a list of names for 
promotion. Requisitions for equipage, accoutrements and clothing 
were made, and the men began the construction of winter quarters. 

From October 9th to November 5th, the writer was detached 
from the regiment and ordered to superintend the voting of the 
soldiers from New York who were in the hospitals of Virginia and 
North Carolina. A captain, a lieutenant, and a few enlisted men 
assisted him. The soldiers from Pennsylvania voted at the polls in 
their regiments ; those from many states were unable to vote unless 
they went home ; the soldiers from New York voted by proxy. 

Whenever possible, we recommended furloughs, and nearly a 
thousand went north to vote from the base hospital at Point of 
Rocks. More than 2,000 received sick leaves. We tried to choose 



2 3 8 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



worthy, reliable men, who would return within twenty days. None 
whom we recommended were refused. We went ourself to the 
different posts along the James, and sent our assistants to Fortress 
Monroe and North Carolina. Our notes are full of incidents and 
anecdotes. Visiting frequently City Point and the immense hos- 
pitals there belonging to the Army of the Potomac, we saw phases 
of military life, surgical treatment, wounds, and disease, concomi- 
tants of active service in the field, which we never expected to 
see, and which we never shall forget. Lazarus from Abraham's 
bosom never saw such forms of suffering and anguish. 

In our memorandum, Oct. 20th, is written as follows : Gens. 
Grant and Butler visited and inspected the hospital. Gen. Grant 
was not distinguishable in appearance from a civilian except by his 
three stars, while General Butler had a sui-generis dress and rig 
which enabled one to distinguish him at any distance. Grant had 
no sword nor belt. Butler had both. Grant wore a plain felt 
hat, dark blue trousers and civilian's boots; Butler had his jack- 
boots on, and a gold-embroidered military cap. Grant is not above 
ordinary size, straight, slim and quiet. He walked among his staff, 
and talked now to one and then to another, or listened to their 
remarks. Butler always walked ahead with the air and mien of 
one who is accustomed to command. Butler is intensely personal ; 
Grant is impersonal. Ostensibly, Butler is the greater man. His 
nervous temperament and long habits of study and forensic prac- 
tice unfit him, perhaps, for a great general, but the power and 
vigor of*his mind, his legal knowledge, his political influence, his 
insight in human nature, place him among the first men of the 
country. Butler is a lawyer and a forensic . orator ; Grant is a 
military man and nothing more. 

In times of peace Grant would pass, as he was passing, un- 
known and unhonored. His silence fights half his battles, covers 
his mistakes, and gives design and brilliancy to his victories. In 
all his battles of this summer, he seems to have miscalculated his 
means, or, in other words, his undertakings have been greater than 
he anticipated. He failed to take Petersburg ; he failed in all the 
battles of central Virginia, and he has failed half a dozen times on 
the left of his present position. He failed several times to hold 
the ground gained on the north side of the James. We venture to 
say that there is no artifice or strategy in General Grant's charac- 
ter; still as a commander he is eminently aggressive, and in his 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 239 

method of warfare seeks to surround and overwhelm by superior 
numbers. 

The movement we have mentioned on the north side of the 
James, Oct. 28th, and the battle of the Boydton road on the ex- 
treme left, closed, practically, the campaign of 1864; and, from 
right to left, without any definite orders to do so, the whole army, 
during the months of November and December, constructed for 
itself, by instinct, huts, cabins, log-houses, and went into winter 
quarters. No orders were issued by any general authority that 
huts should be built, or how they should be built, but the line 
officers and enlisted men made them as they pleased. 

Military operations are at a stand ; Meade and Butler are crouch- 
ing before Petersburg and the Confederate army; Sherman has 
marched down to the sea and is resting at Savannah, and Thomas, 
pausing at Nashville, waits for an opportunity to exterminate 
Hood. All around the prospect is brightening, and the horizon 
seems clear. 

The loss of the Army of the Potomac during the campaign of 1864, 
from the Wilderness, May 5 th, to the Boydton road, October 29th, 
exclusive of prisoners captured and returned, was not far from 65,- 
000 officers and men, and the captured and missing fell but little 
short of 25,ooq. During the same period the losses of the Army of 
the James were, killed, wounded, and missing, 12,000. The 
aggregate loss of the armies operating against Petersburg and Rich- 
mond, for the six months, exceeds 100,000 men. Gen. Hancock 
states that, from the Rapidan to the James he lost a number 
equal to his entire corps, 25,000, but that his ranks were kept full 
by reinforcements. The total effective dead loss was, then, more 
than 75,000. During the year Mr. Lincoln made four calls for 
men, amounting in the footing to one million and a half; of these 
but 600,000 actually reported and were incorporated in the diffe- 
rent armies of the Republic during the year. But we must add 
to the above-named levy, 100,000 hundred-days' men, who were 
voluntarily furnished by the governors of the states of Ohio, Indi- 
ana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and who relieved disciplined 
troops, did garrison duty, or went to the front, and for whose 
maintenance congress appropriated $2.5,000,000. Besides the 
bounties, town, county, state, and National,, the pay of the soldier 
was, for wages $16 a month, and $3.50 a month for clothing. So 
paid, so armed, so furnished, so fed, the world had never seen 



240 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

such an army before. The troops with which Napoleon, Frede- 
rick, Caesar, or Alexander won his most brilliant battles would 
barely make our picket line. 

The loss of the Confederates for the same time, before the two 
armies, has been estimated, including 15,000 prisoners, at 40,000 
men. 

In February, 1864, the Confederate congress passed a general 
Military Act ; by it the whole male population could be employed 
either in the army or in raising supplies. The military usurped 
the civil, and the Confederate states became a camp From time 
to time more stringent measures were taken, details, exemptions, 
furloughs, were revoked and forbidden. Finally, their Conscrip- 
tion Acts made every man liable between seventeen and fifty-five. 

It was impossible to put a gun in every man's hands, and ex- 
emptions for all kinds of pretenses were reported : 30,000 persons 
exempt by the Conscription Bureau, as state officers; .100,000 
from physical disability,. and 100,000 as farmers and producers. 
The government was a despotism, and exemptions were subser- 
vient to public interest. A system of passports supplanted the 
habeas corpus. The government seized the monopoly of cotton, 
and citizens were compelled, under bonds, to furnish it to the 
government for valueless currency, at government prices. 

Taxes were levied in violation of law ; the railroads were seized 
by the government ; grain, horses, cattle, were impressed, and 
the Conscription became an engine of extortion, vengeance, 
cupidity and terror. 

In the Diary of a War Clerk in Richmond we read : "I saw two 
conscripts from western Virginia conducted to the cars, going to 
Lee's army in chains. 

" Lee writes that the Bureau of Conscription has failed to re- 
plenish the army. The rich men and slave holders get out and 
keep out of the service. Over 100,000 are now out of the ranks, 
and soon, I fear, we shall have an army that will not fight, having 
nothing to fight for. The higher class is staying at home, the 
lower class is thrust into the trenches. Guards everywhere are 
arresting pedestrians and taking them to the army. Of the citizens 
taken to the front last week a majority have deserted. There are 
now 100,000 deserters; of these the lists show 60,000 Virginians. 
A poor woman applied to a merchant on Carey street to purchase 
a barrel' of flour. He demanded seventy dollars. ' My God ! 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 241 

how can I pay such a price ? I have seven children. What shall 
I do?' 'I don't know, madam/ said he, 'unless you eat your 
children.' " 

Matters in the Confederacy were coming to an extremity. Late 
in 1864, Davis and his War Secretary Siddons, had called atten- 
tion to the propriety of employing negroes for soldiers. In the 
Confederate congress the opposition was stormy. A member rose 
and said : " Since Davis proposes 40,000 negroes for the field we 
cannot postpone the question : Are we approximating exhaustion ? 
The President said at Macon that two-thirds of the army were ab- 
sent. Let that subject command the attention of Congress, rather 
than the arming of the negroes. All nature cries out against 
making the negro a soldier. That is an abandonment of the 
ground on which we seceded from the Old Union. That race was 
ordained for slavery by the Almighty. Emancipation would be 
the destruction of the social and political system of the South. 
We have said that slavery was the best state for the negroes, and 
now, if we offer freedom as a boon, we are liars and hypocrites." 

Notwithstanding this opposition, measures were taken in the 
spring of 1865 for the organization of negro troops. Secession 
was made to support slavery. Now slavery must be sacrificed to 
support Secession. 

The Confederate currency was fast sinking into hopeless depre- 
ciation. Until October, 1861, it remained at par. Subsequently 
it depreciated so low that the amount required to buy one dollar 
in gold was, December, 1861, $1.20; December, 1862, $3; 
December, 1863, $19; December, 1864, $50; March, 1865, $60. 
In April it became worthless. 

Such was the condition of things, and yet there are people who 
love the Lost Cause and hope that it will reassert itself. 

"Who is to answer for the hundreds of thousands of men who 
have been slain during the war?" said R. M. T. Hunter in the 
Confederate congress. "Who is to answer for them before the 
bar of heaven ? Not those who had entered into the contest upon 
principle, but those who had abandoned principle !.!.! " History 
tells us that Lost Causes do not live. Witness the social wars of 
Rome, the civil wars of England and France. 

The banks of the loyal states suspended specie payments in 
December, 1861; in January, 1862, their bills were, compared 
with gold, from 1 to 5 per cent, discount. In Feb., 1862, con- 
16 



242 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

gress authorized the issue of $150,000,000 of treasury notes, legal 
tenders — green-backs. In January, 1863, the currency or bank notes 
which formed the usual recognized circulating medium, sank below 
coin so that gold was at a premium of 60 per cent. In July and 
August, 1864, the percentage at which gold could be purchased 
with irredeemable paper currency rose to 229 and 231. 

The National debt was, June 30, 1864, $1,740,036,689; March 
31, 1865, $2,423,437,001, and January 1, 1866, $2,749,491,745. 

The choice of Presidential electors was made Nov. 8th, in every 
state. General McClellan received the electoral votes of New 
Jersey, Delaware and Kentucky — 21 in all ; and Mr. Lincoln ob- 
tained the remainder — 211 — of the electoral votes of the loyal 
states. The vote of Tennessee, though given to Lincoln and Jchn- 
son, was not received and counted by congress. No election was 
held in the ten seceding states. Fourteen of the northern states 
allowed their soldiers to vote, and, so far as their ballots could be 
distinguished, three to one were for Lincoln and Johnson. The 
popular majority of Mr. Lincoln was 411,428. 

In his last annual message to congress, delivered, Dec. 6, 1864, 
Mr. Lincoln said, speaking of the election: "There have been 
much impugning of motives, and much heated controversy as to 
the proper means and best mode of advancing the Union cause ; 
but on the distinctive issue of Union or no Union, the politicians 
have shown their instinctive knowledge that there is no diversity 
among the people." 

He stated a single condition of peace to the insurgents : " I mean 
simply to say that the war will cease on the part of the Govern- 
ment, whenever it shall have ceased on the part of those who 
began it." 

In this message he called attention to the 13th amendment of 
the Constitution, which passed the Senate April 11, 1864, and was 
lost in the House June 15th. He said: "It is not claimed that 
the election has imposed a new duty on members to change their 
views or their votes, any further than as an additional element to 
be considered their judgment may be affected by it. It is the voice 
of the people, now for the first time heard upon the question. In 
a great national crisis unanimity of action is very desirable. And 
yet no approach to such unanimity is attainable unless some defer- 
once shall be paid to the will of the majority. In this case, the 
common end is the maintenance of the Union, and among the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



243 



means to secure that end such will, through the election, most 
clearly declared in favor of such Constitutional amendment." 

The amendment was passed by the House for submission to the 
states, Jan. 31st, 1865, by a vote of 119 to 56, and subsequently 
was ratified by more than two-thirds of the states. 

Of the two Southern war ideas, State Rights and Slavery, but 
one remains. Slavery yielded to Necessity when the South decided 
to arm the slave ; but Nationality and Emancipation, Northern 
war ideas, allied to modern civilization, are striding on to victory. 

In the month of November we addressed the following letter to 
Gov. Seymour in relation to promotions : 

Headquarters 98TH N. Y. Vols., *) 
Near Fort Burnham, Va., Nov, 24, 1864. j 

General : — I have the honor to request the following promotions in 
this regiment, viz. : 

First Lieut. George H. Booth, to be captain, vice, Capt. Wm. H, Rogers 
promoted major, to rank from June 4th. 

First Sergeant Clark B. Colwell, to be first lieutenant, vice, Lt. George 
H. Booth promoted. 

First Sergeant George H. Benton, to be first lieutenant, vice, Lieut. 
Zeno I. Downing cashiered by general order, 128, Oct.' 14th, 1864, 
department headquarters. 

Sergeant Major Lyman B. Sperry, to be first lieutenant, vice, Lieut. 
Dan'l H. Stanton, mustered out Nov. 18th, 1864. 

First Lieutenant Alba S. Harris to be captain, vice, James H. Ander- 
son, discharged by Special Order 308, Sept. 17th, current series, War 
Department. 

Commissary Sergeant Henry B. Thompson to be first lieutenant, 
vice, Lieut. Alba S. Harris promoted. 

Having appointed Lt. J. K. R. Oakley regimental adjutant, vice, 
Lieut. Stanton mustered out, I respectfully request that the recommenda- 
tion for his promotion to a captaincy be canceled. 

Six of our officers have made applications to be mustered out by 
reason of expiration of term of service, so that the interest of the regi- 
ment demands the foregoing promotions. 

The persons herein recommended are those to whom the advance- 
ment belongs by every right. I am, respectfully, 

your obt. serv't, 

Colonel 98th N. Y. V. 

To General John T. Sprague, 

Adjutant General, Albany, N. Y. 



When the regiment left Malone in 1862, the ladies of that vil- 



244 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



lage and vicinity presented it a beautiful silken flag. This by the 
campaign of 1864 was rendered unfit for service ; we thought it 
best to muster it out and send it home. Many regiments of this 
state sent their worn-out flags to the Bureau of Military Statistics 
at Albany; but our fair friends of Malone requested that this 
should be returned to them. 

As Mr. Albert Andrus, of Malone, then member of Assembly, 
made the presentation speech, in 1862, to the regiment, we trans- 
mitted the banner to him with the following letter : 



Hon. Albert Andrus, Malone, N. Y. : 

Dear Sir : — Having frequently heard of your patriotism and public 
spirit, knowing the interest you have felt in our regiment, and remem- 
bering that you were selected by the ladies of Malone to present us a 
banner in their behalf, when we first volunteered to fight our country's 
battles, I desire to add to our present obligations, and request you to 
return for us to their care and keeping Our Old Battle Flag. We have 
borne it in all the marches and battles in which the 18th corps has par- 
ticipated during the summer's campaign. When that corps threatened 
Petersburg it took the advance. At Drury's Bluff, rallying around it in 
the fog and darkness of the morning, we checked the onset of the 
enemy, and later in the day rolled back the tide of bnttle. We flung 
it boldly and defiantly to the breeze, at Cold Harbor, and, driving the 
enemy from his line, planted .it in his works, and maintained it there 
during twelve dreadful and bloody days. Charging and defending the 
works before Petersburg, and storming the batteries on Chapin's Bluffs, 
jn hardships, privations, dangers and death, we have gathered around 
it, listened to the rustling of its silken folds, and shared a soldier's 
toils and a soldier's battle joys. Our dead comrades fell on all those 
fields, fell as the brave, honored with their country's benediction and 
gratitude. 

Emblem of our once free and happy country, it has been to us the 
sign of hope and triumph. We love its streaking of the morning light 
and its starry folds. The lessons which our mothers taught us, our 
affection for our wives, our sisters, our homes, and our country, have 
nerved our arms and steeled our hearts to strike down the traitors in 
their name, in the name of our Revolutionary ancestors, in the name of 
human rights and in the name of God. 

Whatever shall be the result of this war, our old Battle Flag shall be 
our witness that thus far we have done our duty well, and that the ban- 
ner you gave us was not entrusted to unworthy hands. Torn and 




FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



245 



pierced by more than fifty bullets, it tells its own history more eloquently 
than words or painting. 

Returning it to the ladies of Malone after three years of service, we 
wish to add that we feel the same uncompromising hostility to traitors 
that we did when we received it. We cherish it now as we did then, 
and we know that they will cherish it, also ; for it is our country's flag, 
pierced and torn in deadly conflict, for its unity and existence. 
I am, with respect, your obedient servant, 



Colonel 98th N. Y. V. 

Hearing that there were several hundred uriassigned recruits in 
Albany and New York, we sent the .following request to the Super- 
intendent of the Recruiting Service at Albany : 

Headquarters 98TH N. Y. Vols., ) 
Chapin's Farm, Va., Nov. 29, 1864. j 

Major : — In compliance with the directions of paragraph 1 10 Appen- 
dix to Revised Army Regulations*, I have the honor to request that four 
hundred recruits be assigned to this regiment. 

Our aggregate is now six hundred and fifty ; of them a few over forty 
have never joined the regiment, and about one hundred will be mus- 
tered out before February 1, 1865, by reason of expiration of term of 
service. 

The cessation of hostilities during the winter, to a greater or less 
degree, will give us time to organize, instruct, and drill them. An 
aggregate of nine hundred men will allow the regiment its full comple- 
ment of officers, and render it more serviceable and less expensive to 
the general government. 

Respectfully, I am your obedient servant, 
To Maj. Frank Townsend, ■ 

Supt. Recruiting Service, Albany, N. Y. Colonel 98th N. Y. V. 

In reply to this we received a letter from Capt. Muhlenburgh, 
December 10, saying that by direction of Major Townsend he had 
referred our letter to Brev. Brig. Gen. Divens of the Northern 
division of New York, and that was the end of it. 

Though a person enlisting could select the regiment in which he 
desired to serve, the letter below speaks for itself, and shows how 
recruits were sometimes obtained : 

Headquarters 98TH N. Y. Vols. ) 
1st Divis. 1 8th Army Corps, V 
In the field, Va., December 2, 1864. j 

Colonel:— I have the honor to state that in July last I wrote to Mr. 



246 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



George C. Strang, of Lyons, New York, and requested him to enlist a 
regimental clerk, not having any suitable person in the regiment. He 
induced George T. Foster, of that place, to enlist for that purpose, and 
that the facts are as stated I enclose a letter from Mr. Strang and the 
affidavit of private George T. Foster, who was forwarded by the Pro- 
vost Marshal's Department to City Point, where he escaped from the 
guard and made his way on his own responsibility to our regiment. 

November 20, I requested Captain John N. Knapp, assistant provost 
marshal at Auburn, N. Y., to send me George T. Foster's muster in and 
descriptive roll. He forwarded me the enclosed roll and statement, 
showing that George T. Foster enlisted in the 9th N. Y. heavy artillery. 
Believing the mistake a clerical erj'or, I respectfully request that private 
Foster's enlistment papers be n^adeto agree with his affidavit and this 
statement. I remain your obedient servant, 



Colonel 98th N. Y. V. 

To Col. E. D. Townsend, 

Assistant Adjutant General, Washington, D. C. 

The papers were corrected as we desired, and private Foster 
remained with the 98th. From this the reader can readily imagine 
how the 9th N. Y. heavy artillery (Seward's) swelled its numbers, 
and how perfectly futile any efforts would have been for justice 
with the assistant provost marshal. 

The original term of service of many members of the regiment 
expired during November and December. Three years of active 
service in the field is a long time, and all who were able availed 
themselves of the opportunity to leave the service. 

We again wrote our Governor in regard to promotions : 

Headquarters 98TH N. Y. Vols. ) 
Chapin's Farm, Va., Dec. 6th, 1864. j 

Brigadier General John T. Sprague, Adjutant General, Albany, 
N. Y. : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the 2d inst., 
of two commissions, one for Lieut. Oakley and another for Sergeant 
Colwell, and again, on the 5th inst., one for Sergeant Benton. 

These promotions give entire satisfaction to the regiment and place 
us under renewed obligations. 

Since the recommendations forwarded on the 24th ult., the following 
officers have been mustered out by reason of expiration of term of ser- 
vice, viz. : Capt E. J. Hildreth, November 27 ; Capt. H. P. Gile, 
November 26; Capt. H. N. Davis, November 23; Capt. E. M. Allen, 
December 1. Capt. Alfred Atkins, resigned on surgeon's certificate of 
disability, December 1. Lieut. George H. Booth has made an applica- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



247 



tion to be mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service ; I 
therefore withdraw the recommendation for his promotion, made 
November 24. 

The interest of the service demands the following promotions, which 
I recommend with pleasure, viz. : First Lieut. Frank W. Angevine, to be 
captain, vice, N. H. Davis ; First Lieut. Dennis D. Mott, to be captain 
vice, Capt. E. J. Hildreth ; Private Benton S. Powell, to be first lieu- 
tenant, vice, Frank W. Angevine promoted. Private Powell was for a 
long time sergeant major, but was compelled, on account of protracted 
sickness, to resign his warrant. Lieut. Mott is commissary of subsist- 
ence for our brigade. The other officers have been on duty with the 
regiment during the whole campaign, and are all efficient, brave, and 
reliable. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Colonel 98th N. Y. V. 

Within twenty days the commissions were granted as requested, 
except that Lieut. Alba S. Harris received an assistant surgeon's 
commission in the 155th N. Y., through mistake; but Harris, 
making no pretensions to the healing art, returned the commission 
with thanks. 

The letters published above will give some idea of the official * 
correspondence of a regimental commander. 



248 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Scope and Object — Method— Reorganization of the Army of the James — Fort Fisher — The 
Second Expedition— Our House— The Diary — The Officer of the Day — Picket Duty — 
Stonewall Jackson's Method — A Walk at Night through our Camp — The Soldier's Dream 
— The 98th has a Chaplain — The Log-book again — An Evening in Camp and a Song at 
Taps by Capt. Miller — All about Dutch Gap and the Confederate Effort to capture the 
Army of the James — Traffic with the Pickets. 

Thou canst not learn, nor can I show 

To paint with Thomson's lardscape glow ; 

Or wake the bosom-melting throe 

With Shenstone's art ; 
Or pour, with Gray, the moving flow 

Warm on the heart. 

IN writing this our history we make no pretensions. We aim more 
for weight than show. Military science and history no more 
than music and painting are our forte. No one has given us a 
model or a plan for the conduct of our story. We rest somewhere on 
solid bottom ; we touch the bed rock ; for we never try to imitate or 
copy others. — Perhaps our perspective is not always good \ our nar- 
rative is sometimes too long, and sometimes too short ; the thread 
of its texture is sometimes spun too fine and again too coarse \ we 
both over-do and under-do. We neglect all but the principal ob- 
ject, so that our structure is Gothic and grotesque, irregular and 
unequal. That the labor we bestow on these pages is more valu- 
able than the material cannot be said. If we lack art or skill and 
labor, we cannot be charged with extravagance and affectation. 

In our descriptions, we have used the least color possible ; our 
canvas is almost transparent, and our brush occasionally drags ; 
but then our hand is firm, the outlines of our characters are pre- 
cise and the even tone of our level method is never warped by 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 249 

figurative or imaginary persons, or by allegorical or metaphorical 
representations. 

Of men and events we speak as we find them. Time has outrun 
our preferences and feelings ; " the jars, jealousies and strifes" are 
passed, and we write without human passion, but with rational for- 
titude. 

Our subject is not of general interest, and in extolling an ob- 
scure act or person our words are often lost in empty air or blown 
stifling back upon us. In such cases the greater the merits, the 
truer the praise, the more suspicious, extravagant and disproportion- 
ate it appears ; while the vacant stare and empty leer of the dis- 
interested and unappreciative public is perfectly crushing. 

We begin this chapter Jan. i, 1865, with the 98th in camp three- 
fourths of a mile to the right of Fort Harrison. 

A few days before the white forces of the 10th and 18th corps 
were consolidated to form the 24th ; at the same time the colored 
troops of the two corps were united to form the 25th. Gen. Ord 
commanded the 24th corps and Gen. Godfrey Weitzel the 25th; 
the former held the right of the line to Fort Harrison, the latter 
the left along the James to Dutch Gap. The 1st and 2d divisions 
of the 18th corps composed the 3d division of the 24th, and Gen. 
Charles Devens, of Mass., was assigned to its command. Our 
brigade was the 1st of this division, and consisted of the nth Conn., 
19th Wis., 13th N. H., 81st, 98th, 139th N. Y. vols., with Lt. Col. 
Raulston, 81st N. Y. vols., in command. The 2d division of this 
corps, a detachment from the 1st division and a division from the 
25th corps under Gen. Paine, went with Butler, Dec. 8th, in the 
first expedition against Fort Fisher ; and the troops for the second 
expedition under Gen. Terry, Jan. 4, 1865, numbering about 8,000, 
were selected from the same divisions and were commanded by the 
same subordinate officers. 

The regiment remained in its present position doing picket duty, 
holding the line, drilling, policing, working until March 27, when 
it moved to the right half a mile and went into camp. To convey 
an idea of our camp-life, we copy from our memorandum the trans- 
actions of the more active and important days : 

Jan. 1, 1865. — The weather is cold. The ground is frozen so 
hard as to bear a horse on the thinnest mud. The roads to the 
river are frightfully bad. Those we have corduroyed are covered 
with frozen mud, cut into ruts and trenches. Four to six mules 



25O NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

can draw but little more than a wagon-box full of wood. The re- 
ports of those who have returned from Ft. Fisher are against the 
management of the general in charge. Many think the fort could 
have been taken with ease. They say our men were in its very 
entrance; that the Confederates there don't fight as those here; 
they are new troops, reserves and conscripts. Lt. Col. Smith, 13th 
N. H. vols., reviewed, inspected and mustered for pay the 98th yes- 
terday; and we performed the same service for the 19th Wisconsin 
vols. They have a fine class of men, large, young and strong. 
One of the companies was composed entirely of Germans. Total 
present 360. We were division officer of the day, and reported for 
instructions at corps and division headquarters. We visited the 
line at 1 p. m., also at 5 p. m., and posted the reserve picket. Our 
mail is very irregular. It came last night at 10, and, to-day, we 
are to have none. 

Ja?i. 2d. — We made an inspection of the picket line between 
three and four a. m. — The wind from the west was cold and pierc- 
ing. The men are not allowed to have fires. They were all doing 
the duty well. The enemy has fires. From my house-door, I can 
see a few Confederate camp and picket-fires gleam through the 
gloom. Our camp is just behind the breastworks. The enemy's 
line is one hundred and fifty rods in front. At our left, an open 
field separates the two lines ; at our right are fields and woods. At 
the right, the lines constantly diverge ; at the left they approach to 
within fifty rods. All about us is quiet. The pickets stand look- 
ing at each other all the day. We drive teams in front of the 
breastworks to procure wood and material for abatis. Our troops 
are drilling, repairing roads and constructing quarters. The huts 
of the men are made of logs covered with tenting. They have 
chimneys, and contain from four to six men. Our house is built 
of logs ; is ten by twelve ; covered with a tent-fly, and has a chimney 
made of stones, old bricks and sticks. In it we have a bed, a desk, 
a table, a trunk, a traveling bag, three camp chairs, a bench, etc. 
We occupy it alone. Behind it we have a mess-house in which 
three or four of us take our meals. Alfred Courtright, assisted by 
two negroes, is purveyor and cook. The army ration is full, and 
we have plenty of food. The soft-bread, one day old, is baked at 
Fortress Monroe. We have no chickens, no milk, no eggs, but 
the best of coffee, cheese and fish. Alfred procures flour and meal 
at the commissary's, butter and canned milk at the sutler's, and 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 25 1 

contrives to make excellent biscuit and corn-bread. His pancakes 
are equal to Delmonico's. He says he watches them while baking, 
and allows them to color like a meerschaum. Our home is cheer- 
ful, and during the long winter nights we are accustomed to draw 
an evening circle round its blazing hearth. 

Tuesday, Jan. 3d. — Remained in camp all day. Signed the rolls 
of the 19th Wis. and forwarded a copy by mail to the Adjutant 
General, Washington, D. C. Five commissions for the regiment 
came by mail from Albany. It snowed quite hard at 5 p. m., and 
we held no dress parade on that account. A rumor in camp re- 
ports Ft. Fisher taken by Admiral Porter's marines. Nearly all of 
the 1st and 2d divisions and Paine's division of the 25th corps 
left this afternoon on another expedition, Terry's, for Ft. Fisher. 
9 p. m. — The ground is frozen and covered with snow. We hear 
heavy firing in the vicinity of Dutch Gap and over on the Ber- 
muda Hundred front. No Northern papers came to camp to-day, 
and isolated here we have no news from any quarter. A very disa- 
greeable night, and the rude wintry wind idly howls round our 
dwelling. The first words of two Confederate deserters, after they 
saw themselves safely in our lines, last night, were: "Now, we'll 
not have to dig any more stumps." They were of the 18th Va. 
vols., and were compelled to dig stumps, with which to make 
picket fires. One of them said: "Jeff Davis is surely dead. I 
heard it reported twice." 

Jan. 4. — All quiet, and the weather moderate. For a long time 
regimental matters have gone on swimmingly. Everyone seems 
contented and obedient. From the door of our house we can see 
several Confederate camps and a mile or more of their breastworks. 
Their drills, their dress-parades, their working parties, their camp 
and picket-fires all appear. During the day we attended to various 
regimental duties : issued orders for semi-weekly officers' school 
and drill, organized an awkward -squad, and began the instruction 
of the non-commissioned officers in the school of the soldier, squad 
and company. 

Jan. 5. — Remained in camp during the day. The regiment re- 
ceived a large requisition of clothing, which was issued, in part, at 
once, to the men. The weather was warm, and the ground wet 
and muddy. We have very good health, and generally feel con- 
tented. We are a little tired of the service, and sometimes think 
we would be glad to get out of it. The regiment is so small that 



252 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

the battalion drills are very unsatisfactory. All hopes of obtain- 
ing more men have well nigh perished. The 98th numbers over 
600 men, 200 of whom are scattered throughout the Army of the 
Potomac and the Army of the James ; all efforts to get them to- 
gether fail. To-day we received $1,100 from the Paymaster Gene- 
ral of New York, bounty, to be paid to men of the regiment who 
enlisted last winter. For that amount we returned receipts to 
Albany as required. 

A circular informs us that the sick of the brigade is double that 
of any in the corps with an equal aggregate. It enjoined thorough 
inspection, overhauling and policing of camps and quarters. Rumor 
says that Gen. Butler attempted to blow the end out of his Dutch 
Gap canal last night, and that the project failed, because the 
powder in the chamber under the bulkhead had become wet. Only 
earth enough was blown out to permit a skiff to pass. All is quiet 
to-night, save now and then a heavy report from about Dutch 
Gap. The return pickets say that the enemy is drawing troops 
from our front, perhaps to send to Wilmington. No Northern 
papers in camp. We experience all the dullness of camp-life. 

We resort to our library, which consists of the Army Regula- 
tions and Tactics, Napoleon's Maxims, Butterfield's Outpost Duty, 
Jomini's Art of War, Scott's Military Dictionary, the Bible and 
the Works of Virgil in Latin. At midnight in our guarded tent 
we hear a knocking at the south entry. Whence is that knocking? 
Hark ! more knocking. We step to the door, and a voice says 
from without: "I'm Captain Julian, Colonel, and come to say 
that you are detailed for division officer of the day to-morrow. 
The order making the detail was lost, or mislaid. I am sorry to 
disturb you. Good night." Exit Julian. 

The officer of the day for a division was taken from the regimen- 
tal commanders, for a tour of twenty-four hours, and the position 
was one of responsibility, activity and watchfulness. He was the 
centre and commander of the grand guards or pickets, the conser- 
vator of the camps and the sovereign coroner of the organization. 
The executive officer of his commander, he outranked every one 
but him, and in the line of his duty his authority was supreme ; 
still, though his duties were executive and ministerial, he must be 
guided by instructions, orders and law. He constituted the eyes 
and ears of his commander, and was not permitted to take off his 
clothes or sleep. He regulated the number and hours of the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 253 

patrols and rounds, stationed the vedettes, received and questioned 
the deserters, examined the ravines and hollow-ways which might 
conceal an enemy, instructed and questioned the guards and made 
them repeat their orders. If his picket or grand guard is attacked 
in force, he must take such positions, execute such movements as 
will best check the advance of the foe. He cannot wait for orders 
or hold a council. 

When its corps retires the grand guard usually follows and, break- 
ing up, its details join their regiments. Stonewall Jackson and a 
few other generals were accustomed to leave their pickets behind 
for several days after they had withdrawn their army, for the pur- 
pose of misleading and perplexing their adversaries, and keeping 
them ignorant of their whereabouts. 

Concerning Jackson's forces, Secretary Stanton wrote to Gen. 
McClellan, June 25th, 1862, as follows : " Some reports place 10,000 
rebels, under Jackson, at Gordonsville ; others that his force was 
at Port Republic, Harrisburg and Luray. Within the last two 
days the evidence is strong that, for some purpose, the enemy is 
circulating rumors of Jackson's advance in various directions, with 
a view to conceal the real point of attack. Neither McDowell, 
who is at Manassas, nor Banks and Fremont, who are at Middle- 
town, appear to have any accurate knowledge on the subject." 

The reader will recall that, June 26th, Jackson was near Ash- 
land, and that the next day he attacked McClellan's right, and 
fought with Gen. Porter the battle of Gaines' Mill, while Banks, 
Fremont and McDowell thought him each in his immediate front. 
Jackson knew how to seem and to be ; he could see no stratagem 
or military sagacity in the wish of the poet : 

" Oh, would some power the giftie gie us, 
To see oursel's as others see us!" 

Jan. 6th. — We reported according to our detail for division 
officer of the day at corps headquarters, to Major Read, assistant 
adjutant general, and immediately after, at division headquarters, 
to Brev't Brig. Gen. Guy V. Henry, 40th Mass., then in tem- 
porary command. Col. Plaisted, nth Me., was corps officer of the 
day. He was in Casey's division on the Peninsula with us ; we 
were associated with him at Yorktown, at Beaufort and at the 
siege of Charleston. In civil life he had been a teacher, and when 
we first knew him he appeared stiff, precise, formal; but not 



254 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



affected. Camp life had brushed away the rust and smoke of his 
studious seclusion. He was warm-hearted, social, intelligent, ap- 
preciative, conscientious and brave. 

A deserter from the 27th Ya. came in, about 12, at the right of 
the line on the New Market road. He said that two nights before 
he came from the Bermuda Hundred front, near the Howlett 
House, and that the enemy has there only two small regiments, 
forming one thin line. His regiment crossed on a pontoon, near 
Fort Darling, in the night, and took every precaution to prevent 
our discovering the movement. It belonged to Corse's brigade. 
He informed us that the 47th Va. had refused to do duty because 
it received but little food, and no clothing and pay, and that it was 
confined in Castle Thunder. He lived at Saltsville, Va., had been 
in the service two months, and never had any desire to fight the 
North. His sister had written him that the Confederacy had be- 
come mighty narrow, and that he better get out of it before it 
should collapse. 

It began to rain in the morning, and rained all day. About 5 
p. M., we visited the line the second time, the rain pouring down 
very fast. The surface of the ground was covered with a few 
inches of water and half a foot of mud. Our house leaks in a 
dozen places, and were it not that our bed keeps dry, we should 
be in a very sorry and uncomfortable condition. We saw the 
Philadelphia Inquirer of the 4th inst. Secretary Seward has, it 
appears, sent a copy of a paper, probably written by President 
Davis, and which appeared lately in the Richmond Sentinel, to all. 
our foreign ministers, and desires foreign governments to consider 
it a confession that the rebellion is a failure, and asks them to cease 
to regard the Confederates as belligerents. The paper appears at 
length in the Inquirer, and indirectly gives a bad picture for the 
Confederacy. It is filled with bitterness and hatred towards the 
Yankees, and requires and incites the South to be willing to make 
any sacrifice, to free the negroes, to seek an alliance with any Eu- 
ropean nation rather than to return to the old Union. The aveng- 
ing Nemesis seems presenting the poisoned chalice to the lips of 
the Confederate leaders. 

Jan. 7. — Visited the picket between 3 and 4 A. m. As we rode 
along, a rebel deserter from the 15th Va. vols., came in. He told 
the same story as the one from the 27th, about disaffection and 
demoralization. During the day, after being relieved we gave our 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 255 

attention to policing the camp and repairing quarters, and worked 
two or three hours in the adjutant's office at the regimental report 
of deserters and the quarterly return of deceased soldiers. — Signed 
them both and sent them by mail to Washington. The ground is 
very wet, and the going very difficult. We saw the Philadelphia 
Inquirer of the 5th inst. It contains the peace resolutions of the 
citizens of Savannah. They desire to get back into the Union. 
The Inquirer has numerous extracts from Southern papers. All 
raise a dismal howl — a loud and bitter cry against the Yankees. 
A bid for foreign assistance appears in every Richmond paper. 
They all endeavor to cheer each other and their fellow sharers in 
treason and hard times, and to nerve themselves to endure every 
privation and wo, loss of lands and negroes, wealth, nationality, 
sons, fathers, and life itself, rather than come back under the Star 
Spangled Banner. 

8 p. m. — The ground is freezing, the wind from the north is cold, 
the weather has changed. 

12 p. m. — We have just walked through our regimental camp. 
All are asleep except the guard in the guard-house and the sentinel 
who walks at our door. The moon shines bright, the night is clear 
and beautiful, and the sky is full of stars. On such a night Im- 
manuel Kant may have said : " Two things fill me with awe : the 
starry heavens and the sense of moral responsibility to man." The 
same awe overshadows us ; for the stroke of action has ceased and 
the pause of reflection has come. Our camp is on a knoll or ridge \ 
we can see the picket-fires for a mile or more in front, and here and 
there at intervals a hostile camp-fire shines through the moonlight. 
No sounds come to our ear, though around us and before us are 
two hostile armies who have at their command all the implements 
and enginery of war, with which in a few moments they can cover 
the ground with blood and carnage, fill the air with the din and 
noise of deadly missiles and shake the earth with their thunder. 
How many sons, fathers and brothers here are asleep, safe and 
sound, while away at their homes in the distant North how many 
affectionate hearts are sad and sleepless on their account ! Thou- 
sands of friends anxious and heavy would leap for joy if we could 
send this instant the dispatch : " If you are well, then all is well." 
" Weeping, sad and lonely" we walked to our quarters, and soon 
after fell asleep with the scenery and circumstances of Campbell's 
Soldier's Dream in mind : 



256 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Our bugles sang truce — for the night-cloud had lowered, 
And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky ; 

And thousands had sunk on the ground overpowered, 
The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die. 

When reposing that night, on my pallet of straw, 
By the wolf-scaring fagot that guarded the slain ; 

At the dead of the night, a sweet vision I saw, 
And thrice ere the morning I dreamt it again. 

Methought from the battle-field's dreadful array, 

Far, far I had roamed on a desolate track ; 
'Twas Autumn, and sunshine arose on the way 

To the home of my father that welcomed me back. 

I flew to the pleasant fields traversed so oft 

In life's morning march, when my bosom was young ; 

I heard my own mountain goats bleating aloft, 

And I knew the sweet strain which the corn-reapers sung. 

Then pledged we the wine-cup, and fondly I swore, 
From my home and my weeping friends never to part; 

My little ones kissed me a thousand times o'er r 
And my wife sobbed aloud in her fulness of heart. 

Stay, stay with us, rest, thou art weary and worn ; 

And fain was their war-broken soldier to stay ; 
But sorrow returned with the dawning of morn, 

And the voice in my dreaming ear vanished away. 

Jan. 8. — Held a rigid Sunday morning inspection. Took an 
estimate of all deficiencies in camp, garrison and ordnance stores. 
Signed the tri-monthly report, forwarded the inspection report, 
issued 3,000 rounds of ammunition, and drew of the division 
ordnance officer, Capt. Bryden, 4,000 rounds to replace those 
issued and to keep on hand. Had the men in camp in excellent 
order, so that the regiment, if not first, is near the first in the 
brigade. They need many articles of clothing, especially 
under-clothing ; as to over-dress they are all comfortably clad in 
garments neat and new. Sabbath is always a busy day in the ser- 
vice ; inspections, reviews and policing seem set aside for that day. 
In the afternoon a few men were caught playing cards for money. 
These we had arrested and sent to spend the night in the brigade 
guard-house. Playing cards for money is one of the greatest 
vices with which we have to contend. We can prevent intoxi- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 T. 257 

cation ; but gambling, being more easily concealed and less patent 
in its consequences, escapes detection. 

A number of officers from the different regiments, and from the 
brigade and division staffs, came into our camp between the hours 
of three and five in the afternoon. They collected in circles 
throughout the camp, walked up and down along the color line, 
and loitered in the officers' quarters. All finely dressed, courteous 
and intelligent, the interviews were social, friendly, jovial. 

Crimson, lilac and golden — lilac, golden and gray, 
Sank the sunset shadows of that pleasant winter's day. 

Jan. 10. — Nearly one hundred deserters came in last night on 
that part of the line picketed by the cavalry at the right. 

Official information has been given us that a Mr. Richardson, 
formerly chaplain of the 92d N. Y., is appointed chaplain of the 
regiment. 

We called on Gen. Devens during the day .and had an interview 
in relation to a few furloughs and a Confederate flag which we sent 
him a short time before- The flag was found in the barracks of a 
Tennessee regiment by one of our men at the capture of Fort 
Harrison. It was a silken banner, was presented by certain ladies 
to the regiment, and had printed upon it, " The Sunny South." 
The General was in command of the corps, and in good humor. 

The Herald of the 9th inst. has \mX little news. The President 
directs that General Sherman who is now at Savannah shall come 
north by land. He is about to move. 

7 p. m. — The ground is not frozen, but the wind has dried the 
rain of yesterday. The night is very beautiful, the moon shines 
bright and the sky appears like a canopy of silver. Though all is 
quiet with the exception of the usual firing of artillery near the 
river, we cannot safely say; Quiet all day, until the day has ex- 
pired. In a moment the pickets on the right or the heavy guns on 
the left may open the ball, and whether they will lead off with a 
round dance or a cotillion none can say. 

Jan. 12. — Remained in camp; the day fine; the lines quiet. 
For reasons unknown to us the picket-line was strengthened and 
the reserves increased. 

We repaired bur house and .finished our stable. For two days 
we have been entirely out of forage. Fortunately we had two 
17 



258 NOTES AND OBSERVATION'S MADE DURING 

boxes of damaged hard-bread, which we mixed with corn-meal 
and potatoes from our kitchen and fed to the horses. The Ara- 
bian maxim says, " that no true Arab neglects his camel ;" and 
the soldier's horse shares, if need be, from his master's board. We 
experience the insupportable ennui of camp-life. 

Jan 13. — We rode to the headquarters of the 25th corps, and 
returned by the rear of the 24th corps. 

We drilled the battalion, and attended to various regimental 
matters. 

Gen. Butler relieved by the President issued his last order. He 
feels now the weight of that power which it pleased him to use 
against others. He has many friends and enemies in the depart- 
ment, and as is usual the latter are more pleased than the former 
grieved. The misfortunes of our best friends having something 
in them not unpleasant to us all, those whom he has most helped 
remain guardedly silent. 

Jan. 16. — At 2 p. m., the regular monthly inspection was made 
by Capt. Julian, division inspector. All the company books have 
in times past been poorly kept. Many of them are soiled, blotted 
and torn. They came down to us with all the carelessness, igno- 
rance, accidents of three years marked indelibly upon them. Their 
condition grew out of the nature of the volunteer service. After 
pointing out the deficiency of a few articles which it has been im- 
possible to obtain, the inspector expressed himself well satisfied. 

Col. Cullen was again assigned to the command of the brigade, 
a duty which the writer had been performing for a few days. 

Jan. 17. — At 9 a. m., the division formed and took its position 
in line of battle at the breastworks, opened ranks and waited the 
arrival of Gen. Gibbon, the corps commander. At 10 he appeared 
and rode along the line. It presented arms, and soon after re- 
turned to camp. 

An order from corps headquarters directs that once in two weeks 
each brigade commander by careful inspection of camps, books, 
discipline, clothing, arms and men, shall select his best regiment 
and relieve it from fatigue and picket duty for one week ; and that 
from the regiments selected by the brigade commanders the divi- 
sion commanders shall each select the best in his own division and 
relieve it from the same duty an additional week. 

We caused the order to be read at dress parade, and after 
making a few remarks to the men, said that the 98th must aspire 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



2 59 



to the highest distinction and receive the award of the division 
commander. — After dismissing them, officers and men went to 
work with spirit, and in a few weeks we realized our highest ex- 
pectation, and the regiment was announced in general orders the 
best in the 3d division, of the 24th army corps. 

The weather is fine, but the wind is high. The capture of Fort 
Fisher was announced in orders. Our men are hopeful and confi- 
dent, and, on the contrary, the enemy is silent and despondent. 
Their camps lie sullenly before us; their pickets perform their 
duty, apparently, without animation or spirit. 

The 81st N. Y., was ordered to report to us to be drilled. We 
signed the. tri-monthly report and received the Herald of the 
16th. 

Jan. 19. — Remained in camp, constructed a few new barracks 
and a wash-house. Settled a quarrel with two men in Co. H., 
issued a few ordnance stores and dined with Col. Cullen. At the 
table we talked of the legacies which the ancient nations have left 
in their history, and concluded that the Greeks and Romans alone 
excite enthusiasm and inspire action and enterprise. The Per- 
sian, the Jew, the Egyptian, may have helped push forward the 
progress and civilization of the world, but to-day they have no 
apparent vital, energizing force. Marathon and Thermopylae, the 
early Roman heroes and battles are revered by the patriots of every 
country ; and Homer and Demosthenes, Virgil and Cicero teach 
their living lessons in every school. 

Last night at 11, five deserters came in on the brigade front and 
three on that of the remainder of the division. They were fired 
on by their own men, even while within our lines and standing 
around our fires. One of the balls came into the camp of the nth 
Conn., and, after passing through the sutler's store, grazed his arm 
and lodged in his pillow. 

Jan. 20. — Seven deserters and two horses came in at the right of 
the brigade last night. We drilled the 81st and 98th, and held an 
officer's school. 

Though the troops have not returned, we are receiving from 
Northern papers the details of the capture of Fort Fisher. Our 
forces met with heavy loss, as did the enemy also. Were not the 
picket duty so hard and the other details so large our present con- 
dition would not be unpleasant. 

Jan. 21. — Rain and sleet all day. The men in most of their 



260 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

quarters are comfortable ; in a few the water pours in at the top 
and runs in under the logs at the bottom. 

Jan. 22. — No rain. The ground wet, the air damp and cold. 
Sunday morning inspection for the best regiment. The un- 
pleasant weather has dulled the aspect of the men, clothing and 
arms. 

Dull, duller, dullest ; nothing can exceed the monotony of 
camp-life. We read, we look after the duties of our office ; we 
walk, we ride ; we gaze at the sky, the stars, the sun, the moon ; 
yet we are compelled to return to the same surroundings, camps, 
arms, intrenchments, and lines of defense. We become weary of 
the details, of the pride and pomp and circumstance of glorious 
war. " O, my Christendom, were I out of this and keeping 
sheep ! " 

Jan. 23. — Reported and entered upon the duties of division offi- 
cer of the day. Rode along the line three times during the day 
and evening. Yesterday four of our men, bounty jumpers, deserted; 
three from the 9th Vt. vols, and one from the nth Conn. 

In the evening we heard heavy firing towards Dutch Gap, the 
batteries along the river and the gun-boats being engaged. 

At midnight, we received a dispatch saying that the Confederate 
cavalry had marching orders, that we should be on the alert, be- 
cause we might be attacked in the morning. 

At 3 a. m., 24th, we visited the line and found five deserters 
from the enemy. They said that Gen. Geary's brigade of cavalry 
had orders to go to South Carolina. That fact explained the 
marching orders of the enemy's cavalry, and we sent at once the 
deserters to division headquarters. The firing at the left along the 
river was renewed and continued at intervals until after 9 a. m. At 
daylight the troops of both corps took their position along the 
breastworks, and the cavalry at the right mounted and formed. 
At 9 we learned that the Confederate gun-boats had passed bat- 
tery Brady, the mouth of Dutch Gap canal, and were then lying 
under the Howlett House battery, and that in coming down 
during the night they had waked up our guns on the shore. The 
troops stood at the breastworks all day. About 2 p. m., the 
enemy opened with a mortar battery on Ft. Harrison, and a little 
later the guns in Ft. Gilmer, directly in front, sent eight shells 
into and over our camp. 

At 4 p. m., we learned that our monitors and guns on the shore 



V 

FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 26 1 

had blown up the Confederate ram Drury, and that the Virginia 
and Fredericksburg were aground waiting for the tide near the 
Howlett House. 

No rifles were fired in our front, and our cannon returned but 
four shots. In this movement the enemy massed heavily on our 
right, and, had his gun-boats cut the pontoons on the river and 
broken our communications with the rest of the army, he would 
have destroyed or captured the Army of the James. 

Jan. 25.— About 12 m., we received orders to prepare two days' 
cooked rations, and be ready to march at a moment's notice. 
Rumor says that the enemy is massing on our right ; if so, and he 
attack, our front is to be weakened to re-inforce the right. 

Last night the rams came down again, and we heard prolonged 
and heavy firing about Dutch Gap. They passed the lower en- 
trance of the canal and maintained an artillery duel with our 
monitors a few rods below. They dismounted the 100 pounder 
rifled gun in battery Brady just above the canal. This morning at 
daylight they returned to Richmond. 

9 p. m. — All the evening two large bands in the 25th corps near 
by have been playing the finest tunes; "Home, Sweet Home," 
"Auld Lang Syne," Marches, Waltzes, etc., tunes which our 
mothers sang when they rocked us to sleep. It is the same every 
evening. They often continue until 10 or 11 o'clock. While all 
is still and quiet the notes sound beautifully clear and sweet. At 
roll call our own camp was quite jubilant ; in groups the men were 
singing : " Down with the Traitor and up with the Stars/' "Fairy 
Bell," and "The Red, White and Blue." 

f^-As a solitary drummer ceased beating " Taps " on the color-line, 
Capt. Miller, 139th N. Y., whose camp was contiguous to our's, 
walked up and down along the officers' quarters and sang, loud 
and clear as a silver horn : 

Meet me by the running brook, 

Where the drooping willows grow; 

Meet me in the shady nook, 
Where the silver waters flow ; 

Friends we loved are broken-hearted, 

Smiles have flown and tears have started 

Since the time when last we parted, 
In the days of long ago. 

Meet me by the running brook, &c. 



262 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Meet me where the star-light plays 

O'er the wavelets bright and low ; 
Tell me of your youthful days, 

Ere the heart knew pain or woe ; 
Joy will come to charm and leave us, 
Lingering hope will still deceive us ; 
Life had nothing dark to grieve us, 

In the days of long ago. 

Meet me by the running brook, &c. 

While he sang the camps were still as death ; the men came to 
the doors of their quarters and listening held their breath to hear. 

Jan. 26. — We practiced the regiment in firing blank cartridges, 
ten rounds per man. A captain's commission for Lt. Beaman and 
a lieutenant's commission for Serg't McArthur, came from Albany 
last night. 

We have the Herald of the 23d, and the most important news 
is that gold has fallen to 197. 

We drilled the 81st and 98th, held dress parade, ordered daily 
inspection and daily company practice in loading and firing blank 
cartridges. 

The enlisted men are confined to the limits of their brigade and 
the officers to the limits of their divisions. In ten minutes from 
the first alarm we can man our works, placing behind their whole 
extent a line of battle of two ranks. 

Jan. 31. — Several of our regimental officers are absent on leave : 
Major Rodgers, Capt. Copps, Lts. Oakley and Sperry. 

The day is fine, the ground frozen ; the men are repairing the 
breastworks and abatis, injured by the frost and rain. 

In the morning we rode to Dutch Gap along the picket line of 
the 25th corps. This corps consists of colored troops, lies at our 
left and holds the ground from Ft. Harrison to the Gap. They 
perform the picket duty very well, and in the same manner as the 
24th. A non-commissioned officer and four men are placed on 
each post, and the posts are six rods apart. One man at each 
station is advanced about six rods in front, and is called the vedette. 
He walks a beat extending on each side half way to the post on 
his right and on his left. This man is always on the alert. Besides 
the vedette, one of the three men left with the non-commissioned 
officer is required to be standing with his rifle in his hand. They 
change places with each other at certain intervals. The reserve 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 263 

picket divided by brigades is placed a short distance behind the 
line, and at intervals of thirty or forty rods from each other. The 
reserves alone have fires. The utmost vigilance is required and 
actually obtained by this double row of sentinels. 

Reader, imagine an ox-bow lying before you ; from arm to arm 
is the Dutch Gap canal, 300 feet ; at the bend of the bow stands 
the Howlett House ; at the right arm is battery Brady ; at the left 
arm are our gun-boats and monitors in the James, and the bow and 
canal seven miles around include Farrar's island. Across the river, 
a mile distant, at the right arm, is battery Simms, a Confederate 
battery ; across the river at the left arm terminates in a redoubt 
the breastworks of the Bermuda Hundred front. At this terminus 
is one of the highest signal towers in the Republic. Half of a 
mile below the tower is the pontoon at Aikens, and four miles be- 
low is the second pontoon at Deep Bottom. 

Our troops have placed several torpedoes in the river above 
battery Brady, and several just above Dutch Gap canal. They can 
be exploded by galvanic batteries on shore. As a military project 
the canal is a failure, and the work on it is suspended. The water 
runs through it in a continuous, unbroken channel the width of 
the canal. The Confederates still shell the canal ; to-day they 
threw from battery Simms a few 200 pounders over it. The shells 
appeared to explode just above it half a mile in the air. When 
the rams came down our monitors discharged their guns through 
the channel at the Confederate batteries. 

Our line in the vicinity of the canal is very weak. Four com- 
panies of a colored regiment picket Farrar's island and the river 
bank for a mile above battery Brady. The deserters from the 
enemy are numerous, nightly from one to ten. Along the whole 
front the pickets have frequent parlies. While on the line we saw 
an exchange of tobacco for coffee. The Confederate came to our 
vedette from his own line, a distance of half a mile. He wore 
one of our caps and overcoats, and passed within a few rods of us. 
His canteen was made of wood and his cartridge-box-belt was of 
canvass. 



264 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XIX. 



All History is a Diary — The Author copies from his Diary — A Hazy Day — The Peace Com- 
missioners and the Result of their Interview at Fortress Monroe— The 98th decided the 
best in the Brigade— An Effort by the Army of the Potomac to capture the Southside 
Railroad— Grant knocks at the Southside Railroad— The 40th Mass. decided the best in 
the Division — New England against the World — All Quiet — The Mule Serenade — The 
President's Ultimatum — A Review again— A Ride with the Chaplain to the Rear — The 
Payment of the Army — The Corps Officer — His Back to the Field and his Feet to the Foe 
— A Military Execution — An Evening Incident on the Picket Line — A Salute for Sherman's 
Victories — Gen. Devens inspects the 98th with the Division Inspector — Father O'Reiley — 
The 98th adjudged the best in the Division — The Capture of Wilmington — Another Peace 
Commission — Chaplain Richardson preaches and then interviews his Commanding Officer 
— Chaplains in the Army. 

ALL history is a diary, partial or universal, of the daily life of the 
world ; and historians, biographers, naturalists, journalists, 
act similar parts, write up the characters of the dramatis persona, 
and the routine of the unravelings of time. If we keep working at 
some rational business in some rational way, the sphere of our 
being will be filled, and the end of our existence be accomplished. 
So Bunyan and Kepler worked, though poor and wading against 
the stream of life ; so the inventors of the Spinning Jenny and the 
Power Loom labored and performed more for the elevation of the 
human race than all the poets laureate, admirals, grand com- 
manders and councilors of kings. Take some position and go to 
work. Do what you can, and do it well. Be true in your heart 
and life. Never think that you can afford to be idle, low or mean, 
but aspire to be high-minded, intellectual, noble. Thus shall you 
be ready for whatever position Providence shall call you, whether, 
like Cincinnatus, you shall be taken from the plow, or like Amos, 
from the sheep-fold. In our struggle for independence the woods 
of Virginia gave us Washington, and in our contest for national 
life and existence, the prairies of the West gave us Lincoln. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



265 



Droop not, though shame, sin and anguish are round thee, 
Bravely fling off the chain that hath bound thee ! 
Look to yon pure heaven smiling beyond thee ! 

Rest not content in thy darkness — a clod ! 
Work for some good, be it ever so slowly ; 
Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly ; 
Labor, all labor is noble and holy ; 

Let thy great deed be thy prayer to thy God. 

The consciousness that we performed our duty well in camp and 
field, that we shrank during nearly four years from no service or 
responsibility, and, that we lost for- that time, but three days on 
account of sickness, is highly gratifying as our memory sweeps 
over the period of our martial life ; but the fact that we kept this, 
our diary, wrote up our impressions, observations, and the transac- 
tions of the day while many others were lounging or sleeping, is 
no less gratifying. Our memoranda were made on the spot, at no 
trifling pains and sacrifice, while our sword was girded and our 
banner waving on the tented field. 

How many writers would make with these, our notes, a glowing 
parade and an envious reputation ! How the dailies and the peri- 
odicals would quote their vivid descriptions and life-scenes among 
their notices of new books and publications. The news stands and 
the hucksters on the railroads would hawk about The Diary, The 
Memoirs, The Confidences, The Recollections, The History of 
Four Years of Active Service in the Late War, by a Colonel in the 
Volunteer Army. Ah, me ! it makes all the difference in the 
world who says a thing ! Success in book-making depends on 
pushing the book ; it is not the title, so much, or the argument, 
often, as the enterprise of the bookseller. Unless forced upon the 
public by the machinery of the publisher, how limited would be 
the sales of many cotemporary authors ! 

If a man has anything to say, let him say it; if not, let him hold 
his peace ! 

Feb. 1, 1862. — All quiet along the lines ; but with us the utmost 
activity prevails — drilling, administrative duties, policing, making 
and obtaining requisitions for quartermasters' and ordnance stores. 
About 10 a. m. we were directed to have three days' cooked ra- 
tions in the haversacks of the men, and to distribute the reserve 
ammunition when about to march. 

We drilled the 8ist and 98th in the afternoon, having over six 



2 66 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



hundred in line, and gave particular attention to the preparatory 
commands, to dressing the guides, and to the duties of division 
and company commanders. 

Three of the nth Conn., bounty jumpers, deserted during the 
night. 

We received no Northern papers. 

Feb. 2d. — We had company drill in the morning and battalion 
drill in the afternoon. Several commissions came from Albany, 
for which we returned acknowledgments, and also requested the 
Governor to promote Sergt. Patrick A. Manix. Patrick was 
wounded at Ft. Harrison. A grape shot passed between his 
stomach and his ribs, carrying with it a piece of every article of 
clothing which he wore around his body. 

The weather was very fine, the sun shone all day, and from ten 
to two it thawed. The sky wore a misty, hazy appearance, and in 
the distance, across the James, on the hills, the outline of objects 
was blended and indistinct. By some kind of anamorphosis which 
we could not understand, at the distance of half a mile, a bush or 
a stub or a stump often resembled a man or an animal Every- 
where through the atmosphere innumerable misty particles were 
strewn. They spread a delicate veil of gauze in front of the slopes 
of pine. They abolish the definition of distant objects, dissolve 
them in the opalescent air, and 

Melt things that be to things that seem, 
And solid Nature to a dream. 

We are still under marching orders, and hear that a part of our 
corps has embarked at Deep Bottom and is going down the James. 
They went on an expedition, at that time, to Fredericksburg, to cap- 
ture tobacco, and were sent at the request of the Treasury 
Department. 

Information comes to us from corps headquarters, that the 23d 
corps, Schofield's, from Nashville, is at Fortress Monroe, and that 
Sherman has begun his northward march from Savannah. The 
Confederate Peace Commissioners, Stevens, Campbell, and Hun- 
ter, passed through our lines to-day, near Fort Harrison. They 
walked between the picket lines, and from Fort Harrison to the 
headquarters of the 25th corps, whence they were taken in a wagon 
to Aiken's landing. They are to meet Lincoln and Seward in 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 267 

Hampton Roads, to-morrow. The indications of peace are not 
encouraging, yet all efforts seem not at an end. So far the 
attempts show at this time the impossibility of peace. The North- 
ern papers contain a complete roster or list of officers of the 
Southern Army, and estimate its effective strength at 170,000. 

Feb. 2d. — We remained in camp and drilled the 98th and 81st. 
Rumor says that Grant is moving against the Southside railroad, 
and that he is fighting in the vicinity of Hatcher's run. 

In the afternoon the clouds grew heavy, and a little coarse snow 
resembling rain fell. About 8 p. m , we heard the whistles of the 
Confederate gun-boats on the James. They fell down the river, 
and later in the night engaged battery Brady loud and furiously. 
The camps are full of speculations concerning the probable result 
of the Peace Commission now assembled on a steamboat in Hamp- 
ton Roads. Generally, we wish that they will be able to effect a 
cessation of hostilities, but think the chance for such an event 
very remote. In fact, both parties are anxious for peace, but on 
one vital condition, the independence of the South, they are un- 
able to agree. All sorts of rumors are rife. 

The enemy keep a sharp watch upon us ; when we fall in for 
drill, or dress parade, they stand on their breastworks in large 
numbers and observe us. They are not irritable, but friendly, 
and appear to regret the present unpleasantness and hope that this 
cruel war will cease. 

Feb. 4. — The order requiring four days' cooked rations in the 
haversacks of the men was countermanded, and the company com- 
manders were directed to have them in their possession. Rumors 
of fighting on the left are current. 

The camps were visited by a few clergymen of the Christian 
Commission. Any minister at the North who desires may come 
here in the employment of the Commission and have his expenses 
borne, provided he stay six weeks and either preach or distribute 
tracts and other religious books and papers. 

The Peace Commissioners passed through the lines, on their 
way to Richmond, to-day. They failed to arrive at any agree- 
ment looking towards peace or an armistice, with Lincoln and 
Seward at Fortress Monroe. 

Feb. 5th, Sunday. — The 98th was inspected by Col. Cullen, 
commanding the brigade. He decided the 81st the worst and the 
98th the best in his brigade. Private Rufus Myers, co. F, was se- 



268 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

lected for the best soldier in the division. The regiment was 
excused from all picket and fatigue duty for one week. The men 
are very cheerful, and think it pays to be the best regiment. 

We are unable to obtain Northern papers. The Potomac and 
Chesapeake are partially frozen over or obstructed with ice. 

We experience a difficulty in obtaining anything to eat besides 
the army ration. The sutlers and commissaries have nothing; still 
we have coffee, bread, butter, beans and potatoes, but no fresh 
meat and fish. 

Gen. Meade is absent on leave ; General Gibbon commands the 
corps, and General E. O. C. Ord the Army of the James and the 
department of Va. 

Feb. 6. — We reported at corps and division headquarters as di- 
vision officer of the day, and, immediately after receiving our in- 
structions, rode along the line of pickets. 

Two of the nth Conn., bounty jumpers, deserted last night, and 
we took every precaution to prevent, during our tour, a similar 
occurrence. We required the men to remain behind the line, 
and the details for the posts to keep together, and we further 
directed the pickets to shoot every enlisted man who disobeyed 
the order by going in front of the line. Not a man deserted to 
the enemy during our tour. 

In the forenoon, a Confederate came into the line. He was 
cutting wood between the pickets, and took advantage of his 
guard's negligence and deserted. 

Wood for picket-fires is becoming a valuable and scarce article. 
The enemy sends guards in front of his line to cover the parties 
chopping and obtaining wood. Who shall watch the guard ? 

The deserter reports that Gen. Longstreet, who commands the 
forces north of the James, in our front, has been sending troops to 
North Carolina. 

During the day, we heard prolonged and heavy firing in front 
of Petersburg. Towards evening, we learned that the Army of 
the Potomac had received marching orders on the 4th, and that, 
yesterday, Grant began one of his characteristic attempts to capture 
the Southside railroad. This effort resulted in a loss to the Na- 
tionals of 2,000, and to the Confederates of 1,000. 

The forces of the Confederacy are now concentrated in two 
armies, of which one operates against Sherman, and the other 
against Grant. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 269 

The chief business of Grant is to hold Lee, to prevent him from 
moving and co-operating with Johnston, and Davis from transfer- 
ring the Confederate government into one of the cotton states. 

To prevent Lee's escape Grant is constantly knocking at the 
Southside railroad ; and while we in our winter quarters enjoy 
comparative peace, there, on the left, along Hatcher's run, the 
contest is red-hot, and the troops are flagrante bello, in open war. 
We are daily informed of the condition of affairs there by sutlers, 
orderlies and staff-officers. It is a significant fact that the day our 
troops captured Fort Fisher, the success was reported in camp, 
and that Col. Curtis, who led the storming party, was wounded — 
both statements proved true. 

The vedettes of the Army of the James are within six miles of 
the Confederate capital, and the left of the Army of the Potomac 
reaches to Hatcher's run, and holds with a firm grasp the Weldon 
railroad. 

A railroad for carrying supplies runs behind the Army of the 
Potomac, from City Point to Hatcher's run. 

Feb. 7. — We reported with the 98th at division headquarters, 
at 10, a., m., for inspection by Capt. Bessey, the inspector general 
of the division. Though there are twenty regiments in the division, 
the strife is really between the 98th, the 12th N. H. and the 40th 
Mass., who for the palm in contest high shall join, and who in 
equal rank shall stand. 

Among all the New England troops, we have found a sort of 
Free-masonry, officers and men standing for each other. Col. 
Guy V. Henry, of the Regular Army, who commands the 40th 
Mass., is quite a favorite with Gen. Devens, our division comman- 
der. Gen. Devens has several times been a Democratic candidate 
for governor in that state. Col Henry was breveted brigadier for 
services rendered at the capture of Ft. Harrison, Sept. 29th, 1864; 
unfortunately the brevet was ill-timed, for, on the day of battle, he 
was home on leave in Boston ! The mistake, however, neither 
damaged the colonel nor the government. In 1878, Henry was a 
brevet colonel in the 3d regular cavalry, stationed near Chey- 
enne. 

At this inspection, the decision of the inspector-general was 
never publicly announced. But, in a special order, the 40th was 
preferred, and relieved from all duty, one week, for being the best 
in the division ; whereupon the writer requested the division com- 



270 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

mander to direct the inspector for the future to publish his grounds 
of preference to the division. 

Feb. 9. — Company drill in the morning; battalion drill in the 
afternoon. We received no papers but the Army and Navy Journal. 

We find great difficulty in procuring wood ; the men haul it 
three or four miles. No fuel can be obtained but green pine, which 
makes a poor fire. 

From being moist and windy, the weather has become cold and 
crisp. No clothing we can wear, or fire we can build, is able to 
shut out the freezing dampness : 

The piercing air 

Burns frore, and cold performs the effect of fire. 

We promoted a few privates to be corporals, a few corporals to be 
sergeants, approved and forwarded a few applications for passes to 
the different corps, and a few furloughs and leaves of absence for 
home. 

In a conversation with the inspector-general relating to the re- 
cent inspection, he said that the grounds for preference were 
trivial, and that in a conference with Gen. Devens they decided to 
select the 40th Mass. this week, and the 98th at the next in- 
spection. 

Not a shot, heavy or light, has been fired during the day along 
our army front, nor did we hear one last night from the left. Our 
military life is again monotonous, and the iron tongue of war is 
still. 

Feb. 10. — All quiet. Had brigade drill by Col. Cullen. The 
weather was cold and windy, and the frozen surface of the ground 
covered with water. 

We received a Herald of the 7th filled with details of past 
events. Orders were promulgated for a division review in the 
morning at 10, 

At 11 p. m., we were all aroused by a loud neighing, yelling, 
clattering and apparent stampede in front of Spring Hill far to 
our right, on ground covered or occupied by the cavalry. The 
bugles sounded, boot and saddle, and the cavalry rushed to arms. 
One after another the collections of mules of the corps, disturbed 
by the fracas, repeated the note and made night hideous. For 
half an hour prevailed a universal hubbub of jarring sounds and 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OFl86l. 27 X 

stunning noises all confused. The hare leaped trembling from 
mossy cell ; cold on his midnight watch the picket quaked and 
shivered ; consternation and distraction seemed apparent ; the air 
was filled with the tumultuous roar, dismal as the wolf's long howl 
on Oonalaska's shore. We learned the next day that this " sensa- 
tion," this disturbance, was caused by a dozen Confederates, 
mounted scouts, who had at that unseasonable hour dashed within 
our lines and then dashed out again. The event was long after 
known in camp circles as " The Mule Serenade." 

Feb. 11. — The division was reviewed by Gen. Devens in the after- 
noon ; Col. Cullen commanded the division and the author the 
brigade. Everything passed off like a charm, to the entire satis- 
faction of all concerned. The 98th never appeared nor marched 
better. 

In the evening, we received the Herald of the 9th. It contained 
the result of the Peace Conference at Fortress Monroe. It appears, 
that the Confederates asked for an armistice during negotiations 
and that the President propounded his three requisites for peace 
sine quibus non, without which no peace ; the preservation of the 
Union, obedience to the laws and the abolition of slavery in all 
the states. When Mr. Lincoln asserted these, shook his ambrosial 
curls and gave the nod, the Conference broke up and the parties 
returned home. 

Feb. 12. — The weather fair. At 9 a. m., we were directed to be 
ready at 10 for a review at 11, in light marching order without 
canteens and haversacks, on the New Market road. 

At 11.30 we were reviewed by Gen. Gibbon accompanied by 
Gen. Ord. 

After presenting arms to him, he rode along our front, but 
omitted to ride along our rear, as is customary. When the review- 
ing officer took his position, we marched past him and the mounted 
officers only saluted. 

Three years of service have not been thrown away on the 98th; 
it marched splendidly, never better. The officers of the division 
were invited by Ord to call on him at Gen. Devens' headquarters 
after the review. The object was social ; there they were treated to 
wine and whiskey. Several of them became very much elated. 
Gens. Ord, Gibbon and Devens made speeches. 

Towards night the wind blew fearfully, and the weather became 
very disagreeable. 



2 •/ 2 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

Feb. 13. — The weather clear, cold and windy from the west and 
north. 

We drilled the 81st and 98th in the afternoon, in marching by 
the front and forming squares from line of battle. 

Gen. Ord has gone to Baltimore for six days ; Gibbon commands 
the department, Devens the corps, Col. Cullen the division and the 
writer the brigade. By Ord's absence every one in the depart- 
ment has gained a degree. 

We rode in the afternoon to Aiken's landing with chaplain 
Richardson, and returned in the evening by department head- 
quarters, the corps hospital and the rear of our first and second 
divisions. We had a short interview at headquarters with Capt. 
Sealy, adjutant-general, and Capt. Fred. Manning, provost-marshal 
for the department. 

Capt. Manning belonged to the 148th N. Y. He was affable, 
competent, and well-liked by all who knew him. For his constant 
attention to duty and uniformly courteous conduct he deserves 
more than a passing notice. 

It was nearly 11 p. m., when we left the hospital, and to shorten 
our route we took the road leading through the burial ground. 
The Soldiers' Cemetery contained nearly two thousand of the Army 
of the James, " each in his narrow cell forever laid." The graves 
were marked by neat head-boards on which the name, age, rank, 
company, regiment and state of their occupants spelled by the 
martial muse, the place of fame and elegy supply. 

No visions of the foe's advance, no rumors of the coming strife 
disturb the quiet of their rest ; no thoughts of home and loved ones 
break in upon their slumbers. 

As the chaplain pressed his horse with the spur, we said, " Hold 
on, chaplain, let us go slow here \ we like the thoughts suggested 
by these silent sleepers." 

Col. O'Hara's lines came uncalled to mind. 

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat 

The soldier's last tattoo ; 
No more on life's parade shall meet 

That brave and fallen few. 
On Fame's eternal camping ground 

Their silent tents are spread, 
And glory guards with solemn round 

The bivouac of the dead. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 273 

Feb. 14. — The weather fine, the surface of the ground frozen and 
dry. 

We went to brigade headquarters and despatched the business 
there, signed reports and returns, approved passes and furloughs ; 
in the afternoon we drilled the brigade. This is the only brigade 
of the division that takes any interest or shows any efficiency in 
drilling. It consists of six regiments, and we performed the evo- 
lutions given in Casey's III. Vol., for battalions en masse. One 
thousand six hundred and eighty-one were in line this day for 
drill. 

We received several Richmond papers and the New York dailies 
of the nth. 

The Confederates " scorn" Lincoln's proffered terms of peace. 
On the return of the Commissioners they held an indignation 
meeting in Richmond ; Davis, Hunter, Benjamin and Gov. Smith 
addressed the people and fired the Southern heart. The most 
bitter feelings and sentiments were expressed. It is difficult to see 
how they have produced, nourished and expanded into public 
opinion, such deep hatred and contempt of the " Yankees." What 
hopeless envy, what wounded pride, what deep despair is necessary 
to hear, tolerate, indulge or prompt such sentiments ! Poor de- 
luded wretches, these Confederates, they will never unite with us 
again until every hope of success is lost ! 

The question of pay is becoming interesting to the division, and 
the need of money is pressing. The government owes the divi- 
sion for September, October, November, December and January. 
Numerous complaints hare been sent to department headquarters, 
and Gen. Gibbon, now in command, directs every regimental 
commander to send in a statement of arrearages and necessities to 
him, who will forward them to Washington. Accordingly we 
made the following statement : 

Headquarters 98TH N. Y. Vols. 1 
First Brigade, Third Division, 24th A. C. > 
February 14th, 1865. J 

Captain : — Your communication of to day requiring compliance with 
circular letter from department headquarters relating to the payment 
of troops, is received, and in reply I have the honor to represent : 

1 hat this regiment was last paid in October to include August 31, 1864, 
and that every member of it is now very much in need of money. The 
regiment is composed of men who in civil life supported themselves and 
18 



274 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

their families by manual labor; letters are frequently received frorr 
their families which show them always in need and often in absolute 
destitution. About one-half of the officers have families to support, and 
nearly all are at present subsisting on borrowed money. The high 
prices of food and clothing, at home or in camp, make it necessary that 
the troops should be paid once in two months. 

I am, with respect, your obedient servant, 

Lieut. Col. commanding regiment. 

To Captain G. H. Hooker, 

A. A. General 3d Division, 24th Army Corps. 

No deserters have come in for the past few days; the enemy's 
front still quietly observes us, and the pickets, friendly and unmo- 
lested, walk their rounds. We have heard during the day, at 
different times, heavy firing to the left. 

Feb. 15. — As commander of the brigade we received a detail for 
corps officer of the day, and reported at corps headquarters, reliev- 
ing Col. Dandy, 100th N. Y. The detail gives us command of the 
picket, cavalry and infantry covering the corps. As we presented 
ourselves to Gen. Devens, commanding the corps, he said : 
" Colonel, I have no new instructions. This is the first time you 
have been on, I believe; you will have no difficulty in finding the 
line and understanding the duty. I always sleep well when you 
have the picket." 

We rode along the line, taking with us two mounted orderlies, 
or cavalry-men. The day was rainy and the ground muddy. 

In crossing a slough at the right, our horse broke through the 
frozen ground and ice and fell down. In extricating ourself we 
broke our sword-belt, lost one of our spurs, and tore our clothes ; 
except being splashed with mud and water, neither rider nor horse 
was injured. 

Returning from the cavalry front, we rode through the camps 
of the provisional division, composed principally of troops from 
Sheridan's army and the state of West Virginia. Their camps 
were in the worst condition possible, certainly the worst in the 
corps. To them we called the attention of Gen. Devens. 

As we rode a few rods in front of the picket of the division, 
examining the ground for the purpose of advancing the line a 
short distance in order to procure wood with greater facility, we 
saw before us a few yards the clothes and skeleton of a negro sol- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 275 



dier who had never been buried. Fort Gilmer was directly in 
front, and he may have been killed on the 29th of September, 1864, 
when the colored troops of the 10th corps charged that fort. He 
lay with his back to the field and his feet to the foe. We ordered 
a corporal and a few men to drive a stake at his head and at his- 
feet, and cover his bones with dirt. He died for the freedom of 
his race. 

Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead ! 

Dear as the blood you gave ; 
No impious footstep here shall tread 

The herbage of your grave. 
Nor shall your glory be forgot 

While Fame her record keeps, 
Or Honor points the hallowed spot 

Where Valor proudly sleeps. 

During the night we received three deserters, and lost one from 
the 10th Conn. All afternoon the Confederates cheered and yelled 
vociferously. 

Fed. 16. — To-day the enemy's pickets hallooed to ours that 
Sherman had been beaten by Beauregard. Where and how all are 
ignorant. 

We rode among the different camps while the regiments were 
drilling, and inspected the guard-houses. These places are gene- 
rally neglected, dirty and uncomfortable. Two of them were in a 
horrid condition— more filthy than the famous Augean stables 
cleaned by Hercules. We found ten persons detained contrary- 
to Army Regulations, and ordered them released at once. 

The Herald of the nth contains no news. Gold at 203. The 
ground is wet and muddy, and still it rains. We prepared and 
sent around a set of rules for the guard-houses of the brigade. 

J*eb. 17. — The weather rainy. The Herald of the 14th has no 
news. We hear prolonged and loud cheering within the Confede- 
rate lines, and fear that all is not well with Sherman. 

Our quarters are now very comfortable. Our bed has two places 
on which the water drops; the roofing leaks in several others, but, 
taking all things into consideration, we are very well off. Since 
" the end of Dutch Gap" was blown out, we have heard but 
little firing in that vicinity; but, to-day, the report of one tremen- 
dous explosion came from there ; and, across the James, we heard 
heavy artillery firing. 



276 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Feb. 18.— A very pleasant day. The fresh breeze from the south 
is laden with the odor of turpentine. Attended to the business at 
brigade headquarters. Directed the brigade officer of the day to 
see that the rules for the guard-houses were observed, and required 
the commanding officer of the 139th N. Y. to explain why he 
omitted his dress-parades. 

In the afternoon we rode to the first division to see two men of 
the 10th Conn, hung for attempting to desert. The 10th and nth 
Conn., and several other regiments were paraded to see the exe- 
cution. 

The enemy had thirty desertions in front of the 25th corps, last 
night. 

Capt. Copps and Lieut. Short left for the North, on leaves of 
twenty days. A large number of officers are going North ; a few 
are resigning. 

A Confederate flag of truce boat exploded just below Drury's 
Bluffs, and the smoke from one of their rams ascends from the 
river, off Fort Harrison. Nine p. m. The night is very dark; the 
fires on the picket line blaze clear and bright. The report of a 
rifle, followed by a loud laugh, comes to our ears from the front. 
We readily guess that a Confederate, in attempting to desert, has 
been fired at by the enemy, who missed him. He laughs and 
yells, indicating to them that he is unhurt. Such incidents are not 
infrequent. 

Feb. 19. — Warm and pleasant, the ground "soft and yielding." 
The brigade has increased to 2,000. Each of the three brigades 
of the division was inspected during the forenoon, and the 98th of 
the first, the 21st Conn, of the second, and the 9th Vt. of the third 
were decided the best; from these, on Feb. 2 2d, the division 
inspector will select the best in the division. 

Feb. 20. — Signed the papers and dispatched the business at 
brigade headquarters ; ordered regimental commanders to turn in 
all their surplus stores, and to make full requisitions for every 
article necessary to arm and equip every man. We rode to Fort 
Harrison, where we saw in a Richmond paper that Columbia, 
South Carolina, was evacuated. Received a detail for corps offi- 
cer of the day to-morrow. 

Feb. 21. — We reported as usual at corps headquarters for instruc- 
tions, and invited Capt. Curtis, of the brigade staff, to ride with 
us along the line. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 277 



At corps headquarters we saw a dispatch from Gen. Grant, an- 
nouncing the evacuation of Charleston and Columbia, and ordering 
a salute of 100 guns with blank cartridges, to be fired along the 
front of the Army of the James. Circulars published the news 
throughout the camps. At 10 a. m., the salute was fired. The 
men were in the best of spirits; they sang, ran, jumped, laughed, 
shouted, threw up their hats. The Confederates in front of Fort 
Harrison returned a few shots in blank cartridges ; in other places 
along the lines, they received the salute in silence. 

Feb. 22. — The anniversary of Washington's birth-day — warm 
and pleasant. The army has no drills nor fatigue duty to-day. 

At 10 a. M.j we heard heavy firing on the Petersburg front, 
which continued over an hour. We have the usual rumors since ; 
one is that Petersburg is captured ; but the fiercest artillery duels 
have so often . resulted in nothing, that we place no credence in 
the report. 

At 9 a. m.j we rode to corps headquarters, to be relieved as 
officer of the day. 

There in an assembly of officers, an advance of the picket line 
was proposed by the adjutant general for the purpose of acquiring 
wood and watching the movements of the enemy better. Against 
this we protested; for it was then so far out, that the enemy could 
sweep away at once from 100 to 200 men with impunity. 

Leaving corps headquarters, we rode to the drill ground of the 
division to see the inspection of the 98th, 21st Conn, and 9th Vt., 
by the division inspector in order to decide which was the best. 

Gen. Devens walked along with Capt. Bessey, the inspector, the 
first time around when the soldiers stand in full out-fit and carry 
their guns at a shoulder. He expressed himself highly pleased 
with the condition of the 98th, and remarked to Capt. Bessey that 
the contest lay between it and the 9th Vt. The 9th Vt. was Gen. 
Ripley's regiment and numbered, present, about 700 men. Their 
quarters were not so clean and comfortable, nor were the officers 
and men so well instructed in military drill and duty. Our camp 
and men resemble those of the Regular Army more, whilst those 
of the 9th, in spite of every effort, have a raw, rough, volunteer 
appearance. 

After performing the duties at brigade headquarters, we had but 
little to do, and spent the afternoon reading tactics, the Herald of 
the 20th, writing letters, talking to the officers and men, looking 



278 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



over the adjutant's office and attending to various miscellaneous 
matters. 

Feb. 23d. — Last night, eleven deserters came in on the front of 
the division. It is reported that a much larger number entered 
the picket line of the 25th corps, 

The weather is warm ; it rained slowly all day ; we had no drills 
or parade. 

Rumor says that Gen. Sherman has been killed — shot in the 
head. Major Mulcahy, commanding the 139th N. Y.,a Brooklyn 
regiment, discredits the report, and thinks it more probable that 
Sherman was shot in the neck. Major Mulcahy is an Irish refugee, 
and in the 139th are a great many Irishmen who are deeply at- 
tached to him. At short intervals, Father O'Reiley visits the 
regiment and stops at the Major's quarters. 

Just now, 10 p. m., in the pouring rain, we heard a rap at our 
door, gentle as one from the spirit world. We open, and a short, 
stout, half-bearded man of fifty stands before us, in felt hat and 
military overcoat. He has a cane in his hand and an immense 
pack on his shoulder. We say: "Come in." He asks; "Is 
Major Mulcahy in ?" And steps inside the door. "No," we re- 
ply. "And is not this Major Mulcahy's tint?" We answer: 
" No, sir ; come to the fire and sit down." 

He stands confounded ; meanwhile the water runs down the folds 
of his cape like melting snow from the eaves, and the drops of 
rain and perspiration glisten on his face. Said he: "And sure 
is not this the camp of the 139th?" " No, sir," we reply, again. 
" Holy mother, then I have lost m> way in the night." "No 
matter;" we add. " Lay down your bundle, take off your over- 
coat, and sit by the fire and dry yourself. We shall have supper 
for you in a short time, and you can stay with us during the night 
and be comfortable." Suddenly as if he had forgotten himself he 
asks : "What tint is this and what rigimint are you?" " This is 
the camp of the 98th N. Y." Lifting up his head he exclaimed, 
" O bless me, bless me, this is the camp of the 98th and the next is 
the 139th, and it is just a step to Major Mulcahy's tint. Thank you, 
thank you. And are you acquainted with Major Mulcahy? And 
a nice man he is too. He has been in the army a longtime, now." 
" We know him well ; he is one of our best friends," said we. 

Disregarding our importunities, the apostolic vicar bade us good 
night and disappeared in the darkness and wintry storm. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



279 



We received the following order from division headquarters : 

Headquarters 3D Division ) 
24th Army Corps, Feb. 23, 1865. J 

At the recent inspection held the 22d inst , the 98th N. Y. vols., was 
adjudged the best in the division. It will be relieved from all guard 
and picket duty one week. 

By command of 

General Devens. 

Geo. H. Hooker, 

Ast. Adjt. General. 

It was no slight honor to be thus preferred, and on Washington's 
anniversary. The men of the regiment were highly elated at this 
announcement ; they obtained copies of the order and sent them 
home. A hundred officers, acquaintances, came to congratulate 
us, and we felt like one who had gained a prize at no trifling care, 
labor and expense. 

Who in the Olympic games the prize would gain, 
Has borne from early youth fatigue and pain ; 
His strength and skill has often tried, 
Love's softness banished and the glass denied. 

Our victories are well received in England. Lord John Russell 
said in Parliament, "I rejoice in the hope that the blot and stain 
of slavery will be forever wiped from the nation's character and 
from the community of nations." 

Feb. 24. — We were detailed a member of a military commission 
to try officers absent beyond their leaves, and reported at division 
headquarters in the morning. 

Subsequently we signed the official papers at brigade head- 
quarters, and in the afternoon supervised the battalions drilling. 

At 3 p. m. we were directed to have the brigade ready to march 
at a moment's notice. At sunset a division of the 25th corps 
broke camp. An impression prevails that they are going to the 
right near the Williamsburg road. 

The weather is fine, the surface of the ground " soft and yield- 
ing." Printed circulars giving the particulars of the evacuation 
of Charleston and the capture of Wilmington were read to the 
regiments formed for that purpose. The men cheered and yelled. 
After being dismissed, they ran, jumped, shouted, sang, wrestled, 
and in various other ways manifested their gladness. 



280 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

Feb. 25.— The total number of desertions, daily, along the front 
of both armies from the enemy is seventy-five. In the evening, we 
heard heavy firing at the extreme right ; otherwise all was quiet 
during the day. The marching orders are still in force, and still 
we stay in camp. 

The Peace Commissioners, Gen. Singleton and Judge Hughs, 
crossed the line at Ft. Harrison on their way to Richmond. 

If the Confederate authorities enter again into negotiations for 
peace with those at Washington, they may arrive at some definite 
understanding ; because it will be impossible now for the enemy to 
raise much political capital, to fire the Southern heart to any great 
extent against the proffer of the former terms ; the Union, the 
Constitution, and the Laws. 

Feb. 26. — Sunday, not an unpleasant day. Though the ground 
is wet, the sun shines bright and the air is warm and mild like 
spring. 

Gen. Gibbon returned, and Col. Cullen resumed the command 
of the brigade. 

Chaplain Richardson preached at two p. m. It was his first ser- 
vice, and nearly all the men were present. 

In the evening he called on us and said he was going to work. 
He desired to know what we wished him to do as chaplain. We 
replied: 1 'To preach once a week to the men; to stay with the 
regiment and stand or fall with it. Become acquainted with the 
officers and men, and have your heart in your business." 

We instanced half-a dozen chaplains who never held service, and 
who took every opportunity they could to absent themselves from 
their organizations ; and said that we should court-martial him if 
he did as they. We referred to our doctor and quartermaster 
who have no heart and interest in their work, and who give us only 
extorted service, and said: "We had them tried and fined a 
month's pay because they refused to attend the inspections and 
dress-parades. You are a legally appointed and authorized chap- 
lain, with all his powers, duties, and privileges, and all the law gives 
you you can demand as a right : if the regimental commander 
does not assist you, does not give you all the facilities which he 
should, report him. You are no sinecure, nor are you superfluous. 
Chaplains frequently say in excuse for doing absolutely nothing 
that their regimental commanders offer them no assistance and do 
not attend their service. If the commanding officer of the 98th 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 28 1 

gives you no support you shall not make that an excuse for not 
performing your duty ; lay not that flattering unction to your soul. 
The spiritual condition and welfare of the regiment are in your 
hands, and you must at all times be read) to give an account of 
your stewardship. As with the rest of us, you stand or fall as you 
do your duty. 

' ' Chaplain, we intend to give you every assistance in our power, 
but we do not wish the performance of your duty to depend on 
what we offer or withhold. We are unwilling to add a straw to 
the burden of these little ones, but we feel that a majority of the 
spiritual advisers of the army are not up to the letter and require- 
ments of the times. 

" If a chaplain have no other design in entering the service 
than to work when assisted, praised, importuned, or compelled, he 
will be a stumbling-block in the way of his regimental commander, 
and in keeping up the moral status of his regiment he will be 
compelled to hold up and sustain the chaplain with the rest." 



282 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XX. 



The Diary continued— Gen. Ord goes to Washington— Rumors— The 98th the best in the 
Brigade — Ord and Longstreet have an Interview — Grant and Stanton — Gen. Devens in- 
spects the 98th, and sees for himself— Mark one torn Shirt — A Flannel Shirt that never 
tears — Gen. Grant and a Reviewing Party — Our Military Life becomes tiresome — Sheridan 
terrifies the Confederate Government — The Slogan of Sherman's Army — The Slave must 
be armed — Wait and Hope the end of all human Wisdom — The contending Armies — The 
Scene of Operations — A military Railroad and Telegraph behind the whole Army — The Voice 
of the Paymaster heard in the Land — An African Review — Men of Straw — The Diary again 
— Marching Orders — Liacoln and Grant at City Point — The whole Army to move — Grant 
and Meade have a Ride — The Anaconda — The Lost Cause — A military Execution — Mr. 
Lincoln reviews the 24th Corps — Marching Orderof the 1st and 4th Divisions — The Army of 
the Potomac moves — Grant desires to end the Matter. 



MARCH 1. — Yesterday, we inspected and mustered the regi- 
ment for pay ; a duty required every two months by Army 
Regulations. 

That our promotions might be fair, and to avoid any suspicion 
of corruption, we organized a board for the examination of pri- 
vates and non-commissioned officers, in order to ascertain who 
were best qualified for lieutenants. Lieut. Shaw, our quartermaster, 
was detailed brigade quartermaster, and we directed Lieut. Powell 
to take his place in the regimental staff. 

Capt. Harris drilled the battalion in loading and firing blank 
cartridges. 

During the night the division lost one by desertion, and six 
South Carolinians came into the line. They say that much dis- 
satisfaction prevails in the Southern Army, that they are on half 
rations, that Lee's army is fast falling to pieces, that we have 
soundly beaten the Confederates, and that Sherman having taken 
their homes and families, they have nothing more to fight for. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 283 

March 2. — It rained all day, and we stayed in camp. At the 
request of Gov. Fenton we forwarded to Albany a complete list or 
roster of the regimental officers. 

We heard, at 10 p.m., a few shots along the picket, and in- 
ferred that the enemy was losing men by desertion. 

March 3. — Gen. Ord leaves for Washington, to be present at 
the inauguration, and the officers of the department move up one 
degree or notch during his absence. The brigade is turned over 
to us again. We drill it in marching by the front and in column, 
in changing front and forming squares. 

In the evening Col. Cullen held an officers' school at his quar- 
ters. While there, we heard a few shots from the enemy's cannon 
at the left along the James, and, after a moment, a volley, and at 
intervals, scattered picket firing for a few minutes. 

Deserters say that Sherman has gained a victory over the Con- 
federates in North Carolina. 

March 4. — High winds from the south. 

Our commission tried one officer for overstaying his leave, and 
acquitted him. 

The air is full of rumors relating to Sherman. One says that he 
has been beaten, another that he is at Raleigh, and a third that he 
has captured Johnston. 

We have no papers. All is quiet. Napoleon in exile could not 
have suffered more from inaction than we. 

The third brigade marched to Aiken's landing, on its way to 
Fortress Monroe. 

Lieut. S. S. Short, returning from leave of absence, brings the 
Wayne county portion of the regiment tidings from home. 

March 5. — The whole brigade was inspected to-day ; the 98th was 
decided the best, and the 81st the worst ; 1,100 officers and men were 
present. The details for duty were so large that but half appeared. 

Chaplain Richardson preached in camp at 2 p. m. Several 
hundred attended the service; the men were attentive, and the 
exercises interesting. At 7 p. m., we received a detail for corps 
officers to-morrow. This duty, though not laborious, comes once 
in five days. The officer is required to ride twice along the line 
during his tour. Representing the corps commander, he commu- 
nicates his orders to the officers of the line, watches with the 
greatest vigilance the enemy, and is generally responsible for the 
conduct of the picket. 



284 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

March 6. — We performed the duties of corps officer, straightened 
the line before the 4th division, and spent the most of the day at 
the front. Twelve deserters came in during the tour. 

The picketsreport that during the night part of the enemy left 
our front, and that they heard at the north of Richmond heavy 
firing in the morning. Rumor says that Sheridan is raiding behind 
Lee's army, near Beaver Dam. 

Richmond papers say, that since Feb. 5th, Gen. Lee has been 
commander-in-chief of the military forces of the Confederacy; but 
the Confederacy, contracted to a " pent-up Utica," contains but 
a fraction of Virginia and North Carolina. 

An acquaintance on the department-staff informed us that 
about ten days ago Gens. Ord and Longstreet had a long in- 
terview at the right, out on the ground' between the lines oc- 
cupied by the cavalry, and that they met to discuss matters 
relating to the department of Virginia. They were old acquain- 
tances, and the conversation ran free and friendly. Ord said he 
had no doubt that Grant would meet and confer with Lee, and 
that a military convention properly constituted, might be able to 
settle the present unhappy difficulty. A few days after, Grant 
received a letter from Lee embodying the conversation with Ord, 
asking for an interview with Grant, and "hoping that it may be 
found practicable to submit the subject of controversy between the 
belligerents to a convention of military officers." Lee further 
asserted that he had power to do whatever the proposed interview 
rendered necessary or advisable, and, in conclusion, suggested that 
they meet at the place selected by Ord and Longstreet. 

Before replying, Grant sent Lee's letter to Secretary Stanton, at 
Washington, related the whole circumstances giving rise to it, and 
asked for instructions. 

We fancy the feelings of the General-in-chief of the National 
army, when he read Stanton's reply : 

"The President directs me to say to you that he wishes you to 
have no conference with Gen. Lee unless it be for the capitulation 
of Lee's army, or on solely minor and military matters. 

He instructs me to say that you are not to decide, discuss or 
confer upon any political questions. Such questions the President 
holds in his own hands, and will submit them to no military confer- 
ences or conventions. Meantime you are to press to the utmost 
your military advantages." 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 285 

To this Grant replied that he was simply asking for instructions. 

March 9. — Our New England friends so arrayed themselves 
against us that Gen. Devens informed us that he would make a per- 
sonal inspection of the 98th including books, papers, clothing and 
quarters, and directed us to have the regiment ready at 10 a. m., 
the shortest notice possible. 

Near that hour he appeared. The regiment was paraded to re- 
ceive him ; ranks were opened and arms presented ; ranks were 
closed and the regiment wheeled into column by company \ ranks 
again were opened, and while the men stood at shoulder arms the 
General walked around the regiment and then began the inspec- 
tion on the right. 

He was attended by Col. Cullen, Capt. Babcock and Lieut. Ladd 
of his staff, and they examined and scrutinized everything \ the 
arms, clothing, equipage, hair, beard, hands and ears of the men. 

As he passed among the file-closers in co. D., the General said : 
Lieut. Ladd, "mark one torn shirt in this company." Sergt. Allen 
knowing the remark intended for himself, stooped down, took two 
army shirts from his knapsack, laid the torn one down and placed 
the new one upon it, and repeated low but audibly : 

Happy the man who draws and wears 
A flannel shirt that never tears. 

No one durst laugh or smile. The General looked at the shirt 
and at the sergeant, and as he passed to the next company, said : 
" Lieut. Ladd, you may cross off that torn shirt." 

He inspected books, papers and quarters, and frequently ex- 
pressed himself well pleased. 

After all was over the inspector and his friends took a drink of 
Bourbon and a cigar, except the General, who did not smoke. 

This week, the 98th being the best in the division was ruled out, 
and the 9th Vt., Gen. Ripley's regiment, was preferred. 

By telegram from Winchester, we have the details of Sheridan's 
victory over Early at Waynesboro, Va. 

The weather, taking the mud into consideration, is very un- 
pleasant. 

All quiet at 8.30 p. m., and all around us the drummers are beat- 
ing tattoo. 

March 12, Sunday. — We rode to Ft. Harrison. The troops have 
withdrawn from the fort and occupy quarters a short distance be- 



286 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



hind it. The fort is hardly tenable ; the rains and frost have un- 
dermined the parapet which, in several places, has fallen into the 
ditch. It is being repaired. 

About 2 p. m.j Gen. Grant and a part of his staff rode along the 
lines to-day. Soon after he passed, two headquarter-covered 
wagons, each drawn by four horses, and two wagons each drawn 
by two horses, and all filled with ladies and gentlemen civilians, 
followed through the camps. The civilians appeared much inter- 
ested in everything they saw, and often directed each other's at- 
tention to the most trifling objects. They particularly watched 
and pointed out the hostile line in front. 

The first division of the corps was reviewed to-day, and Gen. 
Grant and all these people were present. They returned through 
our camp to the 25th corps on the left, and took thence the Varina 
road to Aiken's. 

It is a little amusing to see these very nice people from the De- 
partments at Washington and the palatial residences of the North, 
like those we saw to-day, come riding through our camps and im- 
pudently and staringly talk of our appearance and mode of life in 
our own presence. A few days on our fare in camp, on picket, in 
the air, on the ground, would soil their fine clothing and spoil 
their smooth faces. 

At sight of us we fancy the gentlemen speaking to the ladies in 
words like these : 

And that it was great pity, so it was, 
That villainous saltpetre should be digged 
Out of the bowels of the harmless earth, 
Which many a good, tall fellow had destroyed 
So cowardly ; and but for these vile guns, 
He would himself have been a soldier. 

We are tired of the routine of military life, tired of camps, and 
tents, and arms and trappings. Though surrounded by thousands, 
we are as much alone as Robinson Crusoe. Martial ideas, martial 
news, the everlasting qui vive of active warfare tires us down. 

We long to see again civilized men, women and children, stores 
and farms, churches and court-houses. 

We can appreciate the feelings of "Lo the Poor Indian" whom 
the white man tried to civilized and educate, when he exclaimed : 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OFl86l. 287 



" O, give me back my bended bow, 
My cap and feather give me back ! 
To chase again the bounding roe 
And follow on the otter's track." 

" Everybody," said Sheridan, March 10, "is bewildered by our 
movements." He was then halting at Columbia, Va., for a day, 
while his troops were destroying the James river canal. The fol- 
lowing day he marched northerly to the Virginia Central railroad 
and destroyed it for fifteen miles, towards Richmond to Beaver 
Dam station. Thence he sent Custer and Devin in different direc- 
tions ; and they burned, broke up and destroyed all the railroad 
bridges they could find in the rear of Lee's army on the north of 
the James. Sweeping around by the Pamunky, he collected his 
scattered forces at Whitehouse ; thence he crossed the Peninsula to 
Haxall's, and, passing the James on a pontoon, joined the besieg- 
ing army in Bermuda Hundred. No raid during the war inflicted 
a more damaging blow to the Confederates. The utmost consterna- 
tion prevailed in Richmond ; the archives were packed, the cabi- 
net officers were several times in the saddle, or had their horses in 
readiness for flight ; empty packing boxes were sent to the residences 
of Davis and Lee, and preparations made for an early departure. 
The " Government" was frightened by that bold rider of the wind 
and stirrer of the storm. 

A lieutenant and private, deserters, who came into the line last 
night, said, speaking of these circumstances and referring to Davis 
and his cabinet : " They've got to dig out ! " 

We have seen that the Confederacy has shrunk to a small part 
of Virginia and North Carolina, and that it has become very diffi- 
cult to procure subsistence for Richmond and the Army of North- 
ern Virginia. 

March 5. — Lee's commissary reported but four days' rations for 
the army. The capture of Wilmington has cut off all foreign sup- 
plies. In the territory occupied there is no meat nor grain to 
sustain an army. Johnston can offer no resistance to Sherman. 
The tramp of Sherman's corps can already be heard ; every gale that 
sweeps from the south to the north brings to their ears the slogan of 
their march. Dread are the slumbers of the distant lion. When he 
shall cross the Roanoke, the destruction of Petersburg will be 
inevitable. Sic volvere Parcas. So the fates decree. 

The Confederacy is in extremis, in its last agony. Congress 



288 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



and Davis make convulsive efforts. They set on foot a tax-bill : 
real and personal must pay eight per centum ; specie, bullion, 
bills, must pay twenty ; coin held by banks or individuals must 
pay twenty-five. 

The slave must be armed. The sheet-anchor of the Confederacy 
must be thrown overboard. Lee has for some time favored the 
organization of negro troops. In February, a measure for that 
purpose passed the lower house, but was lost in the senate by a 
majority of one. Now, Virginia has instructed her senators to 
vote for the bill. It is tried again, passed, and becomes a law. 
For soldiers ' ' twenty-five per centum of the male slaves between 
the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, in any state, should be called 
for under the provisions of the act." 

How bitterly the Confederate leaders denounced the National 
government for arming the negroes ! It was the excuse for the 
massacre of Fort Pillow and the horrors and barbarities of Belle 
Isle and Andersonville. 

Whether the slave should become a soldier or not could then 
make but little difference. As a cause of the war, as an object of 
the war, slavery has been given up. As a war measure the arming 
of the slaves came too late. The tide in the affairs of the Con- 
federacy can now be taken only at the ebb. 

In the progress of society, the development of the plans of Pro- 
vidence no one man's works or gifts are needed. Alexander died 
before his conquests and power were centralized and consolidated ; 
Lincoln expired before the Union was reconstructed, the fruits of 
victories realized and the constitution and the laws rehabilitated. 
Nor are decisive battles always victories of reform and advance- 
ment. The victories of the Greeks over the Persians at Platea and 
Arbela rather facilitated than checked the advance of Asiatic ideas; 
and the liberalism and republicanism of western Europe tri- 
umphed when the corps of Napoleon went down at Waterloo. 
The marches, the triumphs, the conquests of the Roman consuls 
and imperators for five hundred years, did but little more than 
eliminate the barbarian forces of the known world ; and their vic- 
tories over the Gauls, the Germans, the Huns, the Vandals, 
hastened the approach and lengthened the duration, of that intel- 
lectual darkness which for more than a thousand years overspread 
mediaeval Europe. The religious wars of the Reformation, of the 
great Gustavus, of the Netherlands, of the French, sought to 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



289 



establish or reacquire those prerogatives and securities to Catholi- 
cism from which society had been receding for centuries. Reli- 
gious liberty was recognized if not established before Gustavus, 
the representative of the liberal sentiment, conquered at Lutzen. 

So the battle for the slave was fought and his liberty achieved 
long before the war of 1861. That he was and of right ought to 
be free, that the world was conscious of the fact, Congress promul- 
gated more than eighty years before Mr. Lincoln's proclamation 
in the adoption and assertion by the armed hand, of the Declara- 
tion of Independence. Left to the ordinary forces of modern 
society, agitation, the school, and the press, the shackles of the 
slave would have become weaker than a rope of sand in less than 
fifty years. Our climate and the genius of the Anglo-Saxon race 
are incompatible with slavery. The politician's war for place and 
power precipitated freedom to the slave. For a century the negro 
had stood with folded hands and watched the forces which were 
agitating society, and felt that the year of his emancipation was 
coming. While thousands were speeding over the land and the 
sea, counseling in halls of state, plucking up drowned honor by 
the locks, the slave bearing mildest his yoke, serving the great end 
and aim of his being best, could only stand and wait. While phi- 
lanthropists and philosophers, the great and good, impatiently 
exclaimed, " How long, O God, how long ! " his own conscience, 
his own heart, whispered to the slave that to wait and hope is the 
sum of all human wisdom. 

On March 20th, 1865, the contending armies about Petersburg 
probably numbered as follows: The Army of the James, 36,000; 
the Army of the Potomac, 85,000 ; the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia, (Lee's), at least 70,000. 

The fortified line from Ord's right on the north of the James to 
Warren's left at Hatcher's run, could not have been less than 
thirty-five miles. Ord, Meade, Sheridan, have separate armies act- 
ing together under Grant. Gen. Weitzel's corps, the 25th, are 
negroes, and comprises about one-third of the Army of the James. 
Sheridan's is cavalry, and numbers 9,000. The corps comman- 
ders were in order from right to left ; Gibbon, Weitzel, Parke, 
Wright, Humphreys and Warren, commanding respectively the 
24th, 25th, 9th, 6th, 2d, and 5th corps. 

Of the Confederates, Longstreet commanded in front of Ord, 
north of the James; next Hill's corps confronted the troops on 
19 



290 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Bermuda Hundred and before Petersburg ; lastly, Ewell's old 
corps under Gordon, held the line on Lee's right before Hum- 
phreys and Warren, extending to Hatcher's run and Five Forks. 
Ewell was at Richmond. The Confederate cavalry numbered 
about 4,000, and was commanded by General Fitz Hugh Lee. 

The line terminated on the left along Hatcher's run, a small 
stream which flows in an eastern direction. Four miles west of 
the intrenched Confederate line, where five wagon roads meet, 
Five Forks, the Confederates had constructed a heavy earthwork, 
with breast-works extending from it half a mile each way. 

About Hatcher's run and Five Forks, the ground, broken in 
places into ridges, is generally low, level, sandy, often swampy, 
with more than half the surface covered with deep, tangled, primi- 
tive woods of pine, oak, cedar and holly. The small, swampy 
streams sluggishly seek the ocean through the Nottoway, Chowan 
and Albemarle sound. 

Petersburg, the lines, Hatcher's run, Five Forks, Ream's station, 
are all in Dinwiddie county, Va. 

From City Point to Aiken's landing and Deep Bottom, the 
James is the base and thoroughfare of supplies; and transports, 
tugs and schooners are constantly moving up and down ; from City 
Point a military railway with stations and depots runs behind the 
Army of the Potomac to Hatcher's run. On this a general pass is 
sufficient, and no soldiers or civilians pay fare. 

Behind the army, for its whole extent, with offices at the 
headquarters of each corps, and central office at City Point, runs 
a military telegraph. Grant, at City Point, is in almost instanta- 
neous communication with every regiment, or company, or man of 
his vast army. The report of a rifle at Hatcher's run or Signal 
Hill, will click in the office at City Point. There the lines of in- 
telligence concentrate. A telegraph runs thence along the James 
to Fortress Monroe, which is connected with Washington and the 
civilized world. 

Wake me but for bad news, said Napoleon ; so when all is quiet, 
the eyes and ears of Grant and Lincoln rest. 

March 13. — The men report negro soldiers among the enemy's 
pickets. The Richmond Enquirer states that Wheeler has beaten 
Kilpatrick, who commands the cavalry with Sherman, and that he 
took from him his guns, ambulances, and a few prisoners. It also as- 
serts a r J advantage gained by Rosser over a detachment from Sheridan. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



291 



The camps are becoming dry and pleasant. 

The voice of the paymaster is heard in the land. We have six 
months' wages due, and think with pleasing satisfaction that it 
will be our turn soon. 

March 14. — We rode to Dutch Gap and Aiken's landing, along 
the 25th corps front, after seeing that corps reviewed by General 
Weitzel. Gen. Grant and a number of friends were present — fair 
women and brave men. The day was fine, and officers and civi- 
lians from both armies, City Point and Washington, came to see 
this. African review. The Confederates ascended trees, or stood 
in long gray lines upon their breastworks to witness the display. 

In the evening we were informed that Sheridan was very near 
Richmond; that on his way down from the valley, he had torn up 
twenty miles of railroad, between Lynchburg and Richmond, and 
blown up the locks of the James river canal. 

March 15. — A bright, windy day. Far and near all is very 
quiet, and we have no news. W T e had skirmish drill in the 
morning, and battalion drill in the afternoon. Gen. Birney, of 
the 25th corps, reviewed his division in the afternoon. The men 
marched well, and were well supplied with clothing, but the offi- 
cers were but little accustomed to reviews. The staff officers of 
the different brigades did not have their swords drawn, and when 
they saluted the reviewing officer, they kept their hands at their 
heads until they had passed him. We have Richmond and New 
York papers; neither have any news. Gold in New York is 1.90. 
The evacuation of Richmond may be near at hand ; we keep the 
sharpest watch of their movements. Whither will they go ? To 
hold the city is with them a matter of life and death ; they will 
cling to it with the utmost tenacity. 

The Jews say that man was made of the dust of the earth ; the 
Indian's tradition informs us that the different races of men were 
made of red, white and black clay; on a slab in ancient Thebes, 
an Egyptian god is represented sitting at a potter's wheel turning 
men and women from clay ; our pickets report to-day that they see 
in Ft. Gilmer the Confederate soldiers making men of old clothes 
and straw. 

March 16. — Windy and unpleasant. By general order all the 
Catholics in the division are excused from duty not absolutely 
necessary, on St. Patrick's day. A review is ordered for to-mor- 
•row, at 10.30 a. m. All are required to appear in full uniform, in 



292 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



regalia full, excepting overcoats, and in the best possible conditions. 
At 8 p. m., it began to rain. This laid the dust which had been 
flying furiously, penetrating every nook and cranny. No papers, 
no mail. 

March 17. — A fine, clear day, somewhat windy. The corps 
was reviewed at 2 p. m., by Gens. Grant, Ord, and Gibbon accom- 
panied by the Sees, of War and the Navy, Stanton and Welles. 
The usual number of headquarter wagons filled with ladies and 
gentlemen came from City Point with Gen. Grant, and from every 
part of the army, from Washington and other cities, came " throngs 
of knights and barons bold." The review was probably ordered 
for Stanton and Welles. When Grant rode along the fronts of the 
different regiments they cheered vociferously, and repeated their 
greeting for the two Secretaries, who followed in a wagon, and for 
Capt. Robt. Lincoln, who rode on horseback behind them. They 
took their position for the march in review on the New Market 
road. The whole corps, except the 2d brigade, 3d division and 
the artillery, marched at quick time ; that brigade passed the gene- 
ral at the double quick and the artillery on the run. 

Nothing shows the power and grandeur of a nation more than 
its well equipped and well disciplined armies. 

We attended, in 1862, near Washington, the grand review of the 
Army of the Potomac, ordered by McClellan for the benefit of 
Congress and the Nation : we have seen similar displays at Harri- 
son's landing, Yorktown, St. Helena and Beaufort, but never have 
we seen before troops so well equipped and disciplined, never with 
such facility and precision of movement. 

To-day rumor says that Sherman is at Fayetteville. He actually 
arrived there on the twelfth, and remained there until the 15th, 
when his columns moved northward, and were on the 17th bridging 
the small streams and quagmires, corduroying the soft, swampy, un- 
dulating, pine-covered surface between the Cape Fear and South 
rivers. 

March 18. — The 2d brigade celebrating for St. Patrick's day. 
They had running, jumping, chasing a pig and climbing a greased 
pole. The 10th N. H. vols., were principals in this affair. 

At 7 p. m., we heard heavy firing on the Petersburg front. We 
have nothing indicative of a move, in fact, we do not see how we 
can move. 

To our library we have added several volumes found among the* 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 293 

commissaries, the Christian Commission, and at corps and depart- 
ment headquarters : Wolsey's Laws of Nations, Robertson's His- 
tory of Mexico, The New York Code 1862, Shakespeare's Works, 
and a few numbers of the English Quarterlies. 

Our camp-life appears increasingly monotonous. Charles XII. 
at Bender suffered less from ennui than we. 

March 19, Sunday. — Warm and pleasant. Inspection by Capt. 
Curtis, the 98th declared for the fourth time the best in the brigade. 

At the inspection to day, one man in co. C, owing to his own 
carelessness, was found wanting a. gun-wiper and a cap-letter. — 
Only this minus and nothing more in the regiment, and it was 
counted against us. 

Col. Cullen's term has expired ; he has orders to be mustered out. 

We attended church at the brigade chapel, a stockade-like struc- 
ture, built of logs, standing upright and covered with canvas. 
Service has been held in it during the winter several times a week, 
evenings, and once every Sunday, at 2 p. m. 

March 20. — Warm and pleasant as spring in May at the north. 
We had monthly regimental inspection at ioj^ to-day. In the 
afternoon we drilled the brigade. 

All quiet, no rumor afloat ; we have no idea that we shall ever 
have to march. 

At 9 p. m., were directed to be ready to march at 8 in the morn- 
ing, with tents struck, knapsacks packed and four day's rations. 

March 21. — All up and busy tearing down, packing and cook- 
ing. The men are cheerful and happy. At 7, everything ready, 
we stack arms on the color-line and break ranks, after directing 
the men to be ready to fall in at a moment's notice. 

The time for campaigning is at hand, and many of us think this 
order will prove no feint; we look with anxious interest at our 
camp and quarters and feel like blessing the hut that has sheltered 
us and the hearth that has kept us warm. 

We have no transportation assigned, and know not where we 
are to go. 

At 9 we were ordered to preside over a military commission, 
organized at division headquarters, to try officers who had over- 
stayed their leaves. We reported at 10 a. m., convened the com- 
mission and adjourned until 2 p. m. 

Our chaplain, who has been growing sick for a few days, left 
:as for a short tour at. the hospital. He smelleth the battle afar off. 



294 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

We asked at division headquarters concerning the destination of 
our contemplated movement. They frankly asserted their igno- 
rance. They were all packed, and had no idea of what was in- 
tended. We were informed that the Army of the Potomac had 
marching orders, and that it contained 100,000 rifles ready at its 
general's command to shoot. No movement was made during the 
day. At 12 it began to rain; at 2 p. m., we ordered the covering 
to be replaced on the barracks and the men to return to their 
quarters. 

Eighteen deserters came in on the division front last night. 

March 22. — The orders to be ready to march at a moment's 
notice, were repeated. Ready at nine a. m. ; the tenting taken 
from the houses, the baggage packed, and surplus stores sent to 
the rear. After standing in line an hour or more, we were 
directed to take our position at the breastworks. 

At the same time the 2d brigade of the division marched to the 
rear, a mile or more, with all its portable baggage, and lay down 
and went no farther. 

We remained at the breastworks until four p. m., when we were 
allowed to return to camp, replace the tenting over the houses and 
return to quarters. Later we were directed to be ready to fall in 
at a moment's notice. Thus the matter stands at seven p. m. 
Evidently, some big scare is up, or some movement is on foot. 
What has been going on at the left we are unable to say. Rumor 
says that Meade, taking what force can be spared, has gone to 
drive Johnston back upon Sherman and crush him between the 
two armies. 

March 23. — Cleared up the camp and prepared for inspection. 
At ten a. m. Capts. Hooker and Babcock and Lieut. Ladd of the 
division staff inspected the 98th. Yesterday and to-day we sent 
away all our surplus regimental and private baggage to be stored 
at Norfolk. 

For ourself we sent : items, a few silver forks and spoons, pur- 
chased in New York ; our library ; a coat pierced by two bullets 
in the battles of Drury's Bluffs and Cold Harbor; a lot of mis- 
cellaneous articles of virtu picked up during our service. We only 
know they went away and never were heard of more. 

Major Lowndesbury is paying the 139th N. Y., and we sign our 
pay-rolls to be ready to-morrow. 

The following letter shows for itself: 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



2 95 



Headquarters 98TH N. Y. Vols. ) 
In the Field, March 23, 1865. j 
Captain : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- 
munication of to-day directing compliance with circular orders from 
corps headquarters, dated March 21st, requiring regimental com- 
manders to make out and forward to those headquarters, lists of all 
suspected bounty jumpers in their commands, and in reply I am happy 
to inform you that this regiment has no bounty-jumpers, that no person 
ever deserted from it to the enemy, and that I have no list to make. 
With respect, your obedient servant, 

Lieut. Colonel commanding regiment. 

To Captain G. H. Hooker, 

Headquarters 3d Division, 24th army corps. 

March 24. Lincoln, Grant, Meade, and others were at City 
Point arranging for a general advance on the 29th, to turn Lee's 
right, overwhelm his force and compel him to evacuate Petersburg. 
The plan was perfected and orders issued accordingly to the corps 
commanders. Late at night, they retired ; a glow of satisfaction 
and complacency seemed to beam from the brow and face of the 
President. 

Soon after 4, on the morning of the 25th, the telegraph opera- 
tor at City Point rapped at General Grant's door, and, being ad- 
mitted before the general had risen, said : " Gen. Parke telegraphs 
that Lee has broken his line and captured Ft. Steadman. He 
inquires for Gen. Meade." " General Meade is here," said 
Grant. "Tell Parke to recapture the fort and restore his line at once. 
Gen. Meade and myself will come to him immediately. Let the 
sentinel at my door take the dispatch to General Meade and tell 
him what I have said." 

Grant arose in a few moments ; his teeth became set, his lips 
compressed, his eyes fixed and the muscles of his face tense. He 
appeared struggling with an immense and awful purpose. Silent 
and imperturbable as Grant is, we look upon him here where he 
needs must be dramatic. He manifested nothing more than we 
have described ; the sharpest eye could detect nothing more. 

In five minutes a middle-sized, light bay horse champed his bit 
at the door. The horses of three or four staff officers were led to 
as many huts near by, and, a dozen rods to the left and rear, fifteen 
or twenty cavalrymen were seen to hastily mount and wait. Three 
minutes more and a rather tall, lank, thin-bearded, long-wrinkled- 
faced man, in major-general's uniform, rides up nervously twitch- 



296 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



ing his bridle rein. This is Meade, and he is followed by two staff 
officers. 

Standing in his door, Grant thus 
accosts him as he approaches : 
" Ah, General Meade, good morn- 
ing. Shall we go ?" He mounted 
his horse and they started at once, 
both at a round trot. The staff 
followed and the escort clattered 
and galloped after in the frosty 
morning air. 

Not another person received the 
telegram ; all the rest of City Point 
was undisturbed and still. If 
Sheridan had a ride in the valley 
from Winchester to the front, Grant and Meade had one of twelve 
miles that morning also. 

They arrived on the ground in time to see Parke and Hartranft 
recapture Ft. Steadman, restore the line and take about 2000 
prisoners. 

The failure at Ft. Steadman greatly disheartened Lee's troops ; 
to join Johnston seemed impossible and no hope of escape remained. 

Better to understand our memoranda we have turned aside for a 
short time to give the lay of the land, the constitution and opera- 
tion of the hostile armies. By mapping out the field of view, the 
reader will more readily comprehend the duties, the responsibility 
and the relations of a regiment, one of many, composing the in- 
tegral army. 

March 29. — Since the formation of the Army of the Potomac in 
1861, the public, by constant allusion, has become familiar with 
the " anaconda," a heavy, sluggish, reptile which moves with diffi- 
culty and, apparently, with an enormous amount of physical force. 

How utterly and completely was Job confounded when asked the 
pertinent, conclusive and significant questions : " Canst thou draw 
out Leviathan with a hook? Canst thou put a hook in his nose ?" 

The great Army of the Potomac, the military anaconda, has 
been a difficult beast to hook or mobilize. The famous war horse, 
Bucephalus, which Alexander reined and rode, had too much life 
and spirit ; on the contrary, this Python of the Republic is defi- 
cient in life and activity, is unwieldy and unmanageable. Who 




FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 297 

will put a hook in his nose and begin the process of training him? 
Who will give 'him spirit and agility? Who will utilize his im- 
mense force? 

First,Gens. Scott and McDowell try their hand; then McClellan; 
Pope, McClellan again, Burnside, Hooker, Meade and Grant. In 
the early part of the campaign of 1864, under the last two gene- 
rals, the animal still moved with difficulty and immense effort; 
they suffered serious reverses and had no encouraging results. As 
the summer passed the constant training developed agility and 
mobility, and the Great Anaconda became all alive. 

Sluggishly it dragged its slow length along across the Rapidan, 
the Wilderness, past Spottsylvania, over Cold Harbor to Petersburg, 
damaged and beaten on every field. For want of mobility it failed 
to enter Petersburg June 15. It failed again for the same reason, 
July 30, at the explosion of the mine, and, later, in its repeated 
efforts to extend towards Hatcher's run. 

Now, frequent reviews, inspections, drills, skirmishes, battles, 
have rendered it capable of being moved, in an hour, on any point, 
or turned on a pivot. 

Two long lines confront each other ; one in blue and one in 
gray. That in gray is destitute of the conveniences and necessa- 
ries of life. They are poorly fed, poorly clothed, and worse paid. 
They have no longer any spirit or heart in their cause ; we seldom 
hear them shout or sing or cheer. On forty per cent, of them may 
be seen some article of clothing or piece of equipment captured 
from the line in blue. Their animals look jaded, poor and sorry; 
a third of the wagons have been captured from the Union army, a 
third have been impressed from Confederate citizens. From the 
first, they have been well-drilled and thoroughly mobilized ; no 
better troops for march, assault and battle than those ironsides 
have ever taken the field, and few generals rank higher than Hill, 
Longstreet and Lee. This history shall do them honor and give 
them its unavailing tribute. In all human probability the pens of 
strangers shall record their deeds, and the history of the Lost 
Cause shall be perpetuated by its enemies. Their superhuman 
efforts, their matchless energy, transcendent courage may not re- 
ceive from our historians the candor and justice which the Cartha- 
genians and Hannibal did from Livy, the Germans from Tacitus, 
and the French from Allison. 

The line in blue, cheerful, happy, joyous, shouts and sings and 



2 9 8 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



cheers. They have games and sports ; every mail brings presents, 
good news and encouragement. Well-paid and abundantly clothed, 
they eat from a full board, and drink from an overflowing bowl. 
To them no letters depict desecrating and destroying raids, burn- 
ing homes, fleeing and homeless, destitute wives, relatives and 
families. The ravages of Sherman's army, the smoke from burning 
Charleston and Columbia worry not their slumbers. On the con- 
trary, every gale that sweeps from the north to the south brings 
to their ears the strongest assurances of extravagance, abundance, 
prosperity and fabulous acquisitions of money. They daily throw 
away, waste and destroy food enough to maintain the line in gray. 

Major Lowndesbury is paying the regiment to January ist. 

March 25. — The payment of the regiment finished. Four-fifths 
of the men sent home by mail or express or persons going north, 
half or two-thirds of their money. Capt. Wells leaves for the 
North to-day, and will take over $1,000 to Lyons. 

At 9 a.m., we were ordered to strike tents, pack knapsacks, 
and be ready to march at a moment's notice. 

We soon after learned the cause of this order : The line of the 
9th corps in front of Petersburg was broken and Fort Steadman 
captured, at 4 a. m. , by the enemy. At 9 a. m., Parke, the com- 
mander of that corps, recovered his works, and restored his line. 

This morning, at 3, the provisional division of this corps, the 
West Virginia troops, of whom we have spoken before, broke 
camp and went to the rear ; this afternoon they returned. 

The Confederates are busy repairing their works in front. 

The signal officers say their line is unusually weak. 

The Signal corps has been wonderfully busy for the last few 
days, signaling, with flag by day and torch by night. Their ac- 
tivity excites our suspicion. The flag over the head is one, the 
flag at the right is two, the flag at the left is three, and the flag to 
the ground in front is four. The man who waves the flag or cuts 
the figures knows nothing of their import. The officers only un- 
derstand the Signal Code, invented at the beginning of the war 
by Colonel A. I. Myer of the National Academy. Suppose the of- 
ficer says 431 to the flagman. The latter makes the figures with 
his flag. Four thirty-one may mean, "The enemy is preparing to 
attack." The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, admit of several thousand per- 
mutations, each of which may stand for a distinct phrase or sen- 
tence. Suppose the officer says 11 23. The flagman executes these 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 299 

figures, which are interpreted at the other station, and may mean, 
" Move at daylight on the enemy's works." 
March 26. — Sunday morning inspection. 

The brigade was paraded at 12.30 p. m., to witness the shooting 
of a private in the 81st N. Y., for attempting to desert through 
the picket line of the 4th division. The condemned man was 
about thirty years of age. In charge of the provost guard, he 
walked to the place of death. They seated him on his coffin, which 
was placed a few feet in front of his grave. The pro- 
vost marshal of the division read the charges, specifications, find- 
ings of the court, and orders of the corps commander. Then ten 
privates with loaded rifles were marched and halted thirty feet be- 
fore him. A. cap was drawn hastily over his eyes, and at the beat 
of the drum the detail of ten stood at shouldered arms. The provost 
marshal then commanded: "Ready — Aim — Fire!" At the last 
command the squad fired ; five balls passed through his breast, 
and he fell over on his left side upon the coffin — dead. 

In the afternoon the whole corps was reviewed by President 
Lincoln and Gen. Grant. Besides the usual number of visitors 
from the army and the department, Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Ord 
and half a dozen other ladies were present. 

Though the whole corps was paraded for inspection, the 1st and 
4th divisions and the 3d brigade of the 3d division only passed in 
review. Every one was cheerful and happy. During a part of the 
review several persons were introduced to Mrs. Lincoln, who 
appeared to hold from her wagon a reception en pa$sa?it. Mr. 
Lincoln was silent, thoughtful, heavy ; Mrs. Lincoln, courteous, 
gracious, pleasant. 

At five p. m., we hear that the 1st and 4th divisions, under Ord, 
are to march during the night and join the army of the Potomac. 
We were directed as soon as dark to take a detail of five hundred 
privates and twelve officers and relieve the pickets of those 
divisions. 

We took with us to assist us, Major Rogers of the 98th, Major 
Brooke and Capt. Seligson, of the 9th Vt. The line was long and 
irregular. With much perplexity and vexation we finished the 
posting and relieving about one a. m., and returned to camp, tired 
and sleepy, sadder and wiser men. 

March 27. — The whole army is on the look-out. The two con- 
fronting forces have marching orders. Which shall take the ini- 



300 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

tiative ? Where will be the attack ? Expectation and observation 
are keen and feverish. We are all eyes and ears ; our slumbers, if 
we slumber, are not sleep. Our division now holds the front 
formerly held by the corps. It will be remembered that the 2d 
division went to Wilmington in January, and that yesterday the 
1 st and 4th marched with Gen. Ord to join Meade and Sheridan on 
the left. So the 3d division with 500 cavalry constitutes the right 
of the Army of the James. As an officer of the picket we rode 
along the line in the afternoon. The men were performing their 
duty well ; all in front was still as death ; no vernal zephyr sighed 
among the pines. 

Near 5 p. m., the regiment moved to the right, three-fourths of 
a mile, and occupied the camp and quarters of the 199th Penn. 
vols. In the evening we brought over our baggage and sent five 
companies a half mile further to the right in a fort and along its 
flanking breastworks. The new position is on the Darbytown road, 
and our right front is picketed by the cavalry. 

The cavalry picket is reconnoitered every night by Confederate 
scouts ; they are not seen but heard making the noise of those who 
pass carefully in the woods. 

The 1st and 4th divisions crossed the pontoon at Deep Bottom, on 
their way to Hatcher's run. All quiet as we retire, and rumor dead. 

March 28. — Remainedin camp. One-third of the regiment on 
detail for picket, the remainder are brushing, sweeping, repairing 
their new quarters. One can imagine with difficulty the amount of 
rubbish which a large and recently recruited regiment can make 
and leave. We collected several wagon loads of boxes, furniture, 
old clothing, and drew them away. 

A new regiment of the 4th division, the 206th Penn., not hav- 
ing the unity or coherency of a mob, after marching a few miles to 
the rear, was ordered back and left behind to stay with us. Men of 
large bounties, but a short time in service, their deserted camp was 
full of boxes, trunks, camp-stoves and kitchen furniture, chairs, 
tables, stools and pieces of carpet. Going away for a day and a 
night, abandoning these articles and relinquishing their right to 
them forever, our veterans found them flotsam and jetsam and ap- 
propriated them. The Pennsylvanians on their return went through 
our camps inquisitively, impudently prowling, and "put in a claim 
for said articles." Those more disorderly making such demand in 
the camp of the 98th, were arrested and returned under guard to 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 3OI 

their regiment. The commanding officer of the 206th forwarded 
a statement of the case to the division commander and asked that 
an officer might be sent through the veteran camps with authority 
to take his property wherever found. But before any action was 
taken in the matter the articles were abandoned again, and the 
parties were on the road to Richmond. Devens said our position 
was just and legally tenable ; but the colonel of the Pennsylvanians 
never forgave us. 

March 29. — All quiet. No news. Have the New York papers 
of the 28th. In the afternoon we heard heavy firing far to the left. 

A report is current that the enemy is massing troops in our 
front. We are neither allowed to sleep nor rest, but stand in arms 
all the time. 

We finished and mailed a history of the regiment for the Bureau 
of Military Statistics at Albany. 

After 9 p. m., they had a prolonged and heavy artillery battle 
on the line before Petersburg. It continued for more than an 
hour. About 12 p. m., we learned that the Confederates had at- 
tacked Parke's corps, and we were ordered to be ready to repel 
an attack, should one be made on our front in the morning. 

March 30. — At 4 a. m., it began to rain, and continued, slack- 
ing at intervals all day. 

Information is current that the attacks made on Parke's 9th 
corps yesterday, were repulsed. 

The tour of duty comes for the men now every other day. 

This time Grant has abandoned his strategy of a simultaneous 
attack on both Confederate flanks, and has drawn all the available 
troops from his right and centre to crush the enemy's right, and 
prevent the escape of Lee's army into North Carolina. 

Warren's 5th corps and Humphreys' 2d relieved from the con- 
tinuous line by Ord's divisions, and by extending Parke's corps, 
are this day between Hatcher's run and Gravelly run, near the 
White Oak road and the Boydton plank road, seeking the Con- 
federate intrenched line, drenched in rain, water-logged and 
swamped. 

Sheridan, still farther to the left, is pushing the enemy upon his 
intrenchments at Five Forks, boldly trying to ride him down, or 
drive him off, but unsuccessful ; later in the day, he returns, in rain 
and mud, and bivouacs on the soaked and flooded ground near 
Dinwiddie Court House, six miles behind Warren and Humphrey- 

Sheridan intended to cut loose from the army, and, raiding 



302 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



round the enemy's right, destroy the Southside and Danville 
railroads; but Grant, who was on the field arranging and direct- 
ing, changed his plans and recalled Sheridan. In his note of the 
29th he said to Sheridan : " I want to end the matter, if it is pos- 
sible to do so, before going back. Push around the enemy in 
the morning, (the 30th), and get to his rear, and we will act all 
together, as one army, until we shall see what can be done with 
the forces before us." 

March 31. — Though our camp is at the extreme right of the 
intrenchment lines, and though five of our companies are half a 
mile still farther to the right in a detached fort, we are not un- 
easy; for, if our line is weak and thin, we know that the Con- 
federate is weaker and thinner. 

Col. Ripley, of the 9th Vt, whose regiment stood second to 
ours, is now a brevet brigadier, and General Devens has assigned 
him to the command of our brigade, known hereafter as Gen. 
Ripley's brigade. 

In the afternoon we rode to the right in front of Signal Hill 
and beyond the picket line, on the ground occupied by Gen- 
eral Longstreet's division last December. 
From the field into which his troops ad- 
vanced, we could see our signal tower 
near Dutch Gap, the James river, Malvern 
Hills, our lines and all our forts and 
camps* He had intended to enter the 
lines after capturing some of the de- 
tached forts, of which fifteen covered our 
right flank. He might have taken one 
or more of these, because the ground is 
favorable for the operation of infantry — 
being broken and intersected by ravines which run in such direc- 
tions as to furnish good approaches to the redoubts. Our troops 
were nearly all veterans, commanded by able officers, and behind 
the breastworks were crouching more than a hundred cannon ; so 
that unless he had a large force his success would have been of 
but little advantage. 

This may have been Longstreet's opinion; and, again, he may 
have come for no other purpose than to reconnoitre ; or his advance 
may have depended on the success of the Confederate gun-boats 
in their attempt to run the batteries and destroy the monitors at 
Aiken's and Dutch Gap. 




FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



3°3 



CHAPTER XXI. 



The Battle of Five Forks— The Cannonade of the Army of the Potomac— Lee's Army driven 
from its Intrenchments— Lee's Telegram to Davis — The Evacuation of Richmond — Ewell 
fires the Iron-clads, the public Buildings and Bridges — The Sacking of the City begun — The 
Army of the James — The Note-book again— Our Bands exhaust their List of Tunes — The 
Look out near our Quarters — Supplies — How we passed the Winter — Gen. Ripley's Fall and 
Phantasy — A new Suit of Clothes — All packed up — Good News comes from the Left — We 
stand around Division Headquarters to receive it — The Night of April 2d and 3d— Ripley's 
Brigade — The Order to march — On to Richmond — How the Army of the James marched — 
How the Troops entered the City, and what they found and saw — The Flag of the 98th hoisted 
by Adjutant Oakley over the Confederate Capitol— Who stole the Honor from him — Details 
to guard the City and put out the Fire — The Fortifications — The first Night in Richmond — 
Libby and Castle Thunder — The 98th in the Old Market — Headquarters in St. Charles 
Hotel — President Lincoln in Richmond April 4th — The British Consul— Belle Isle— Destitu- 
tion — The Responsibility — Our Provost Duty begins — Roaming Vagrants — La Table d'Hote 
— Gen, Devens reviews his Division in Main street — Tell Maximilian to get out of Mexico 
and Lee and Johnston to surrender and stop the Fight. 



HE storm ceased during the night of the 30th, and the morn- 



JL ing of the 31st of March was bright and clear. Grant in- 
tended to remain quiet during the day, for the roads and ground 
to dry; but it was no time for Lee to rest, while the corps of 
Humphreys and Warren and the cavalry of Sheridan were concen- 
trating on his right, threatening his line of retreat and communi- 
cation. He withdrew from behind his intrenchments by thinning 
the line, 20,000 of the troops confronting Parke, Wright and Ord, 
from Petersburg to Hatcher's run, and, placing them under Pickett 
and Johnson, sent them to Five Forks and the junction of the 
White Oak and Boydton roads, to oppose what he falsely imagined 
one of Grant's characteristic flanking movements. 

But as the Confederate army opposed the National at every point, 
from its extreme left to Richmond, Grant knowing the superiority 
of his own numbers, directed Sheridan to attack and turn, if pos- 
sible, the enemy's right flank, while the other corps should assault 




304 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

and break his lines. The movement of Pickett's and Johnston's 
divisions to the vicinity of Five Forks, so weakened Lee's left, 
that, on the morning of April 1st, Wright and Parke informed 
Meade that they could assault successfully. On that day Sheridan 
with 12,000 infantry and 9,000 cavalry, fought with Pickett the 
Battle of Five Forks, and captured, killed, wounded and demor- 
alized an aggregate of ten thousand Confederates. The cavalry 
followed the discomfited enemy, until night ended the pursuit. 
The military telegraphs communicated the news, and the shout and 
yell of victory rolled along the Union lines. Few battles of the 
war were more brilliant, few more decisive. , 

Grant at once re-inforced Sheridan, and ordered all the batte- 
ries of the Army of the Potomac to open and continue the can- 
nonade during the night. The air was lurid with the bombard- 
ment, the earth shook and trembled, and the heavens were 
lighted with fires not their own. 

April 2d, Sunday morning, at 4 d 1 clock, the batteries ceased their 
deep-mouthed thunder, the troops advanced in overwhelming 
numbers, and the assault began. Parke carried the outer line in 
front of Petersburg, but was stopped at the second by Heth's 
division and troops under Longstreet, from north of the James. 
Wright and Ord were more successful. 

They carried everything before them, and moving along the rear 
of the Confederate line towards the Appomattox, cut the hostile 
army in two, captured thousands of prisoners, and approached 
Petersburg from the south, endangering its communications. 

Lee, Hill, Longstreet and Mahone were in the city consulting 
and listing to the sound of battle, evidently coming nearer. 

" How is this?" said Lee to A. P. Hill, 
one of the ablest of his lieutenants, 
"General, your men are giving way." 
"The engagement is becoming gene- 
ral," said Hill. He drew on an overcoat 
which he had worn through the war, 
went out, organized an assault, and 
sought to recapture that part of his front 
forced by Parke in the morning. Re- 
connoite'ring in a wooded ravine, he 
was killed soon after by some soldiers 
dressed in blue. In a few hours ail the defences of Petersburg 
were captured, and the Army of Northern Virginia ruined. 




FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 305 

' For nearly four years the people of Richmond had been gratified 
with rumors such as the capture of Washington, of Baltimore, of 
Philadelphia; the destruction of McClellan's, Hooker's, Meade's, 
Sheridan's or Thomas' Army, or of a general uprising of the North 
in their favor So on the 2d of April people said to each other in 
the streets : " We hear that Johnston has destroyed Sherman," and 
that "Lee has captured Sheridan and a portion of Meade's army." 

In St. Paul's Episcopal church, which stands near the Capitol 
beside the park, Davis and Lee were accustomed to wor- 
ship. On that bright and beautiful 
Sunday morning Colonel Taylor- 
wood waited in the vestibule of 
that church until Dr. Minnege- 
rode, the rector, finished his read- 
ing, and said: "Here endeth the 
first lesson, " when he walked up 
the left hand aisle, past the two 
daughters of Gen. Lee, and handed 
a telegram from him to the Arch- 
Conspirator. Davis opened the 
message and read, substantially : 
" My lines are broken in three 
places; Richmond must be evacuated this evening." 

The thin, feeble, old man, neuralgic for life, rose trembling in 
his pew, and, with a crushing weight upon his mind, faltered out. 
For a few moments the choir, the pastor, the congregation were 
silent as the tomb. 

The organ sounded, the choir chanted Te Deum, the service was 
soon after hastily closed, but before Dr. Minnegerode dismissed 
the congregation, hesaid : — " Gen. Ewell, the military governor of 
Richmond, desires the local forces to assemble at three o'clock 
this afternoon." 

The war office and its different departments, the local authori- 
ties and the citizens, generally, soon understood that Lee's army 
was broken and the Confederacy ended. The dread reality passed 
from man to man. Hope and fear and rumor can no longer be 
indulged, the time for action has come. Through all their disasters, 
all their reverses, all their trials, fate has preserved the " Govern- 
ment " for this, 

A deeper wreck, a greater fall, 

A shock to one, a thunderbolt to all. 

20 




306 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Davis orders the coin in the banks to be sent to Danville, and 
the Confederate archives to be burned. A train of cars loaded 
with provisions — a quarter of a million of rations — destined for 
Lee's army, was ordered back, to transport the fugitive officials. 

The people collect at the Danville depot. Several hundred 
citizens, including the Legislature, at nine p. m., embark on canal- 
boats for Lynchburg. Evacuation is unmistakable. The day of 
reckoning has come. Exultation has sunk in despair. Some seek 
safety in concealment, others in flight ; those hide in their cellars 
and garrets, these fly over the country, northward, eastward and 
westward, a-foot, a-horseback, or in private conveyances. Vehicles, 
for man or baggage, command fabulous prices, by the hour, eighty 
or one hundred dollars in gold. 

As in the sacking of a city, the tumult increased as night 
approached. The jails and the penitentiary were opened. Strag- 
gling soldiers and the rabble gathered in the streets, free from 
restraint. Hell was empty, and all the devils were there. As a 
precaution, the City Council ordered all intoxicating l'iquors to be 
emptied in the streets. The populace drank from the gutters and 
the uproar soon became ten-fold greater. The howling mob, com- 
posed of men and women, black and white, surged through the 
streets, broke open the stores and buildings, and scattered the dry 
goods, groceries, furniture, luxuries, Confederate bonds and money 
on the walk. 

Near 4 o'clock in the morning, when the government officers 
had removed all that they could from the commissary department, 
they abandoned the vast stores remaining. A crowd, with bags, 
buckets, tin- pans, aprons, pushing and cursing, growling and 
fighting, then gained entrance, and well-nigh carried the building 
from its foundations by the rush. 

Before several of the government offices the rabble kindled bon- 
fires of Confederate archives. 

The more respectable citizens remained within their dwellings, 
closed their blinds, barred their doors, and retired to their closets, 
garrets and basements. 

After dark, Davis left' the city ; and before midnight, of the Con- 
federate government, of Congress, of the War Department, of the 
State Authorities, nothing remained, not the shadow of a name. 

After midnight, a more terrible element appeared, and the work 
of demolition began in earnest. Gen. Ewell ordered the destruc- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 307 

tion of the iron-clads ; the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Vir- 
ginia, and the receiving-ship Patrick Henry. At three in the 
morning, the great magazine near the Almshouse was blown up 
with a concussion that shook the foundations of the city, and was 
heard within the lines of the Army of the James. Next, the four 
principal warehouses of the city were fired, and, also, Mayo's 
bridge leading to Manchester, and the Danville and Petersburg 
railroad bridges. The conflagration spread beyond control, and 
soon thirty squares, a third of the city, were on fire. The War 
Department, the post-office, the treasury, many churches, banks, 
private warehouses, hotels and public buildings were in flames. 
In the black smoke, by the glare of the fire, the demon-like figures 
of busy plunderers moved, pushed, rioted for food and spoil. The 
cries of children, the wail of women, the yells of intoxicated men, 
mingled with the roar of the flame-tempest, the crash of falling 
buildings and the explosion of shells. And the moan of the sacked 
city ascended to heaven. 

The Army of the James, commanded by Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, 
consisted on the first of April, of Devens' division of the 24th, and 
Ashborne's and Thomas' divisions of the 25th corps. Grant di- 
rected Weitzel to parade his men, display his force and hold the 
enemy before him, while the remainder of the army flanked and 
fought him out of Petersburg. 

Though Weitzel observed the instructions of Grant, he could not 
deceive Longstreet, That general comprehended Grant's plan, 
and, thinning his lines, crossed the James with Banning's bri- 
gade and went to the assistance of Lee at Petersburg. 

While our comrades were thus fighting about Five Forks, captur- 
ing the intrenchments, and, while the Confederates were evacuating 
their military Capital, the utmost quiet prevailed in the Army of 
the James. True, we heard the distant roar of cannon, and main- 
tained the keenest circumspection, and, though the telegraph 
reported each day the result of the fighting, yet it was not until we 
marched into Richmond that we understood the crushing force of 
Grant's victories. 

Saturday evening, April 1st, we wrote up our book as follows : 
A fine day with rather high wind. The troops inspected their 
ordnance and quartermaster's stores. 

Rumor flies through the air with a hundred eyes, a hundred 
tongues. One report says that the Army of the Potomac is fighting 



3 o8 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



far to the left beyond the intrenched lines ; another, that Lee and 
Davis, discouraged since the defeat of Saturday last, are proposing 
a conference and terms of peace. All is quiet in camp and front; 
our works simply hold themselves. 

The enemy began to fire at Dutch-Gap and battery Brady again. 

In the evening our bands exhausted their list of tunes : Sacred 
Music, National Airs, Waltzes, Reels, and Hornpipes. The men 
encored, danced and sang responsive. At ten p. m., we learned 
that Sheridan had driven the enemy from Five Forks and captured 
five thousand prisoners. The Herald of the 30th is sanguine of 
peace ; the soldiers indulge the pleasing expectation with delight. 

Sunday, April 2d. — Our quarters here in the camp of the 199th 
Penna. are excellent ; we have a large, well-made log-house, 
twelve by eighteen, with shingle roof, warm and dry. Around it 
are five large pines, and the rustling breath of Spring sighing in 
their lofty tops sounds like the music of the spheres. 

With a few poles and the branches of one of these, the men have 
ingeniously constructed a rural ladder, mounting eighty feet from 
the ground. From the platform above, the factories in Manchester 
and the Capitol and several churches in Richmond are visible, 
through our field glasses, seven or eight miles away. 

Ascending this ladder to-day, which waved like a mast on the 
sea, we tied ourselves to the trunk, like Farragut, and expatiated 
free over all this scene of man. 

Richmond the stake, the Confederate army, the Army of the 
James, our gun-boats and transports on the river lay before us and 
around us misty and wide. 

Generally, during the winter, we have not been so well supplied 
as at Yorktown and Pungo. Norfolk and Baltimore are farther 
away, and the oysters, game and shad are beyond our reach. Still 
the express boats come to City Point, Point of Rocks, and Aikens; 
the army ration has been full and the sutler's shops overflowing. 

The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places ; free from danger 
and calamity, we have had an estate of peace and comparative ease. 
Never in our life have we enjoyed ourself so much or felt so 
delightfully the pleasures of peace and plenty. The campaign of 
1864 was long and severe; enjoyment after suffering, abundance 
after want afford increased relish and exquisite delight. Three 
times in our military life have we passed from danger, expo- 
sure, suffering and privation to plenty and quiet : from the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 309 

Peninsular campaign to Yorktown ; from the demonstrations 
against Charleston to Pungo ; from the campaign of 1864 to our 
present position. We have rested, recreated and enjoyed ourself. 
Let Fortune turn her wheel again. 

At our quarters and those of Colonel Cullen and Gen. Ripley, 
we have passed the long leisure of winter not unprofitably. Cullen 
was fond of literature, and read elegantly. He had perused the 
ancient classics and the more celebrated German, French and 
British authors. He was particularly fond of Shakespeare, and 
quoted him frequently with felicity. We had several works on 
Field Fortifications, Topography, Marches, Sieges, Out-Post Duty 
and Grand Tactics or Strategy. These we were accustomed to 
read and comment upon ; and we filled up the intervals of our 
leisure riding over the country, playing chess and backgammon, 
and practicing with our swords, rifles and revolvers. 

One day five of us were trying the speed of our horses along the 
New Market road. Ripley had the lead, and, looking back to see 
how we followed, his saddle turned and he fell to the ground, 
striking on his head and shoulders. We took him up insensible. 
It was several days before he recovered. He afterwards said that 
during the few hours iu which he lay insensible, the world and every- 
thing he had ever seen passed before him in phantasmagoria, like 
a panorama ; that he heard what we said to him and to each other, 
that he distinctly recognized us, but had no disposition to speak 
or reply. He was not in pain, but enjoyed the phantasy. He 
only became sensible of the bruise and contusion as he acquired 
his faculties. He said that no living man ever looked farther into 
Hades than he, or approached nearer that bourne whence no tra- 
veler returns, and that he saw the Elysian Fields at times and smelt 
the sulphurous smoke of hell. 

When at City Point a few weeks ago, we ordered a suit of regu- 
lation clothes complete throughout. We selected the material and 
gave our measure there, but the articles were made in Baltimore. 
We needed them for the summer's campaign, and yesterday they 
came. The quality of the goods was not extravagant, but such as 
officers of our rank were wearing. One black felt hat, $12; one 
pair of boots, $25 ; one pair of dark blue trousers with sky-blue 
welt, $28; one dark blue frock coat, $75 ; one colonel's shoulder 
straps, gold embroidered, with silver embroidered spread eagle, 
$15 ; one vest, same material as the coat, $20. 



310 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

After the usual Sunday morning inspection we had nothing to 
do. Everybody is out of quarters enjoying the fine sun-light, 
reading, writing, lounging in the open air. The baggage, rations, 
ordnance are all packed or with the men. Not a personal article 
unpacked, all in trunk or satchel, box or barrel. We open our 
desk to write an endorsement and re-lock it again when we are 
done. 

Good news comes from the left; the whole Army of the Poto- 
mac moved to-day. Tremendous cannonading in that direction 
all day. About noon we hear that the 6th and 9th corps have 
broken the enemy's line, that Sheridan with his cavalry and por- 
tions of the 5th and 2d corps is sweeping from the left, and closing 
in on Petersburg. After hearing the dispatch, said Devens, " How 
perfectly quiet we are while all thai is going on." Another tele- 
gram at 2 p. m. 

We stand around division headquarters and listen like Oedipus, 
while the seer rehearsed his fate. Grant says that he has about 
10,000 prisoners, and that he expects to enclose the Confederate 
army before night, between his own and the Appomattox. " That 
is glorious," said Ripley, "we can hear the crash of Lee's broken 
army. The history of the Confederacy is closed." 

An hour later Grant telegraphs to corps headquarters that he has 
ordered demonstrations on the Bermuda Hundred front to draw 
troops from our side, and that he may order us to advance in the 
morning. 

An order was immediately sent to regimental commanders re- 
quiring them to be ready in the morning at 4 o'clock with three 
days' cooked rations and sixty rounds of ammunition. They were 
directed for every twenty men in their respective regiments to 
carry two axes and two shovels. Further they were to be in light 
marching order, and leave their knapsacks and camp equipage 
behind under guard. 

The order and the telegrams were received in the camps with 
the most enthusiastic demonstrations of joy. " Rally round the 
flag, boys, rally once again." 

Near 5 p. m. Grant telegraphs again : — " The Confederates have 
been driven from their intrenchments before Petersburg through- 
out their whole extent." 

As the adjutant general at division headquarters read the dis- 
patch to those standing about his office, a rather tall, dark-com- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 311 

plexioned, sallow- visaged man, in citizen's clothing, of the 
Christian Commission, said: "Now is the death of John Brown 
avenged, and the blood of slaves drawn by the lash expiated in the 
loss of millions of dollars and a million of men ! Even so may 
it be." 

Copies of the telegram were circulated through the camps, and 
as the sun sank behind the hills of Chesterfield all the bands were 
playing, and the men shouting, singing and laughing. 

The night of the second and third of April, 1865, was clear, 
warm, and not unpleasant. A light mist arose along the line of 
the James, which the sun dissipated in the early morning. The 
wind was laid, the air was still, the stars blazed full and bright. 

At 10 p. m., a few lights were visible in our camps, but no sounds 
were heard. 

A dozen officers collected at division headquarters discussed the 
advance ordered for the morning, the probable strength of the op- 
posing line, the resistance it would offer to our troops, and the 
chances for entering Richmond. Several expressed an opinion 
that the Confederates were evacuating that city because it could be 
held no longer. Orderlies and officers were constantly passing to 
and from the pickets, maintaining the greatest vigilance, and 
reporting to Gen. Devens every unusual circumstance. 

We have stated that the Army of the James then consisted of 
Gen. Devens' 3d division of the 24th corps, and Gens. Ashborne's 
and Thomas' divisions of the 25th corps, and that the troops of 
the 25th corps were negroes. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel was in com- 
mand of this army, the remnant of Ord's force, all that was left 
on the north side of the James. 

Our brigade, the 1st of Devens' division, was formed of the 
13th N. H., the 19th Wisconsin, the 81st, 96th, 98th and 139th 
N. Y., and was led, as we remarked, by Brevet Brig. Gen. Ripley, 
of the 9th Vermont. 

Lossing, in his "Civil War in America," designates this Rip- 
ley's brigade of negro troops, and says it entered Richmond first; 
but Greeley, in "The American Conflict," writes that "Draper's 
black brigade " was in advance. 

The truth is, both corps approached the Confederate works at 
the same time, in line of battle and in column, following the skir- 
mishers in advance ; but when the works were found empty, and 
when the evacuation of the city was ascertained, the white troops 



312 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



being veterans, better drilled and handled, took the lead, march- 
ing into the city by the New Market road and the old Osborn 
pike. The skirmish line was not recalled, but kept the advance, 
deployed ; then, first, marched Gen. Weitzel and his staff ; next, 
Gen. Devens and his staff, and thirdly, Gen. Ripley and his staff, 
followed by the first organization which entered the city, the 98th 
N. Y. volunteers. 

A few minutes after 2, on the morning of the 3d, the sentinel 
on duty at the door, called us and said that he heard a heavy re- 
port towards Richmond. We arose, listened a short time, and 
hearing nothing more, retired. An hour later he aroused us again, 
and informed us that he had heard several explosions in the same 
direction, and just then one louder and deeper than ever. We 
asked him to call the corporal of the guard. At our request the 
corporal ascended the ladder on our signal-tree, and said that he 
saw a great light in Richmond. Standing on the ground, we ob- 
served several flashes in that direction, but could hear no report. 

At 3.30 a. m., one of Devens' aids passed our quarters with a 
deserter from the enemy. He belonged to a Virginia regiment, 
and said that the Confederates were leaving their line in front, 
that they all had orders to march at 1 o'clock, that they were 
going to help Lee, that in the hurry of getting ready he had 
found an opportunity to get away, that the Confederacy was 
" busted up," and that he did not wish to fight any longer. 

Near 4, soon after our reveille was sounded, we heard the loud- 
est explosion of the morning, and though there was no wind, our 
door and window rattled, and the leaves trembled on the pine and 
holly. At that time the authorities blew up the great powder 
magazine standing at the edge of the city, on the bank of Shoe- 
koe creek. 

Later reports from the picket inform us that a negro, riding in 
a buggy, and driving a mule down the New Market road into 
camp, said that Richmond was evacuated, and that the Confederate 
army and government was "all done gone." 

Doubting, for the news seems too good to be true, the men sup- 
pressed their feelings as best they could ; but they were unable to 
eat for joy. Deserter after deserter came in, and the evacuation 
was confirmed. The desperate battle we had anticipated had 
changed to a triumphal march. 

The men are packing up, collecting their baggage and storing it 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 313 

in our house, to be left under guard and sent for from Richmond. 
Caps are snapping, ramrods are jingling, the companies are form- 
ing and the regiments are taking line. 

At 4.30 the skirmish line was forming, and the division was at 
the breastworks waiting the order to advance. 

Across the camps and drill-grounds, behind, and tracking after 
us, were cooks, servants, orderlies, loaded with every description 
of baggage ; around us all the bands were playing " inspiring 
airs," and flags and colors were waving in the light vernal 
wind. 

Near 5 a. m. the advance was sounded from division head- 
quarters in the saddle; the picket line moved forward ; the first 
brigade followed at an interval of forty rods, and a six gun battery, 
composed of 3-inch rifled pieces, wheeled in behind. The other 
brigades and batteries of the 3d division, in the rear, at regulation 
spaces, took up the line of march. 

In this order, the division approached the enemy's works ; the 
picket line pressed through his abatis and chevaux de frise, de- 
scended into his ditch and ascended his parapet without opposition ; 
and the batteries and regiments, marching by the flank, with curi- 
ous observation, laughing and talking, passed through his sally 
port. 

At the same time, half a mile toward the river, on our left, in 
similar manner, the 25th corps, headed by General Weitzel and 
Draper's black brigade, passed through Fort Harrison, on to Rich- 
mond along the Osborn turnpike. 

Half way to Richmond, from the exterior line of Confederate 
fortifications, these two roads unite, and from their intersection 
Devens' division had the advance. 

Not a person was seen until we arrived in the vicinity of Pow- 
hatan Seat, the family residence of the Mayos; from there the 
sides of the road were crowded with negroes and poor whites, male 
and female, old and young, who had come out to meet us. They 
waved their handkerchiefs, hats, bonnets and hands in greeting, 
and shouted for joy. Some threw themselves down on the ground, 
and then sprang up again ; some embraced each other and sobbed 
and cried ; some pressed into our ranks and grasped the men by 
the hands. Ejaculations like these were heard on every hand from 
every tongue : — Bless de Lord ! Now I see de Lord comin'; I 
said it, I knowed it, I seed it. Glory, Hallelujah ! Amen, Amen, 



3*4 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Amen! De Kingdom's comin'; De Day of Jubilee is here ; De 
Millenium is come ! Massa Lincoln set us free ! Is massa Lin- 
coln here? Oh, how fine' Let Gabriel come and all de Saints 
in Glory ! De promise is come to pass ; I see de hebbens open ; 
now I is ready to go ! How glad I am, how happy I is dat I hab 
lived to see dis day ! 

They turned around, and, crowding in the road, walked back to 
the city. 

We entered the city at Rocketts, near 7 a. m. and the line of 
march led up Main street to 17th, thence up Franklin to the City 
Hall, opposite the Capitol Square. All that part of the city between 
the Capitol grounds and the river, consisting of warehouses, mills, 
stores and banks, was in flames ; and we heard constantly the sound 
of falling walls and the report of exploding shells. To avoid the 
bursting missiles, we passed to Franklin through 17th street, rather 
than through 16th, and even then, as we filed into Governor street 
from Franklin a few fragments of shells fell harmlessly among the men. 

Arrived opposite the front entrance of the City Hall, we halted. 
Across the street the Capitol grounds were filled with goods taken 
from the burned district; and the portico and steps of the edifice 
were densely packed with the homeless tenants, extremely old, ex- 
tremely young, sick and infirm. 

Adjutant Oakley, followed by a color-sergeant, pressed his way 
through the crowd and, ascending the building, first waved our 
regimental flag from the roof of the Capitol of the Southern Con- 
federacy. Leaving the sergeant with the flag, Oakley descended. 
An hour after, Sergeant Hardy was relieved by Lieut. J. L. 
De Peyster, of Weitzel's staff ; and De Peyster, assisted by Capt. 
Langdon, Weitzel's chief of artillery, hoisted over the building 
a storm-flag which had waved over the St. Charles hotel in New 
Orleans, during Gen. Butler's administration. 

De Peyster was honored by Gov. Fenton with a brevet lieutenant 
colonelcy, but no member of the 98th ever received from any one 
a thank or the merest recognition for the service. When De Peys- 
ter raised his garrison flag over the Capitol of Virginia, he displaced 
the silken colors of the 98th. He may parade his honors and 
vaunt over his services among his princely friends and relatives, 
but in this particular an unpretending adjutant and plain sergeant 
in the 98th were an hour ahead of him on the calendar of time, 
if not on that of history. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OFl86l. 315 

A sergeant, a corporal and six privates were taken from the regi- 
ment and placed on guard over the late residence of President 
Davis ; other details were made from the brigade and sent to take 
charge of the Governor's house, the City Hall and the Capitol. 
Later, General Shepley was appointed military governor of the 
city, and Col. Fred Manning provost marshal. 

As the regiments of the division arrived they were sent to guard 
the roads leading to the city, to take charge of the prisons, to 
seize the arms and government stores, to maintain order, and to 
put out the fire. — The colored troops were halted below Rocketts, 
and not allowed to enter the city. 

About 10 a. m. , we were directed to move the regiment out on 
the Mechanicsville pike a few miles, to take possession of the hos- 
pital near Union Hill, and to watch the fortifications lying between 
that turnpike and the Woodbury bridge road. 

Near the hospital, the surgeon in charge, with a few of his as- 
sistants, came out to meet us. He said that he had five hundred 
sick and wounded in the wards, and medicines and provisions in 
store sufficient for two or three days. He desired to know what 
we intended to do with them, and what he should do. We replied 
that we would report his statement to headquarters, and that in the 
meantime he should remain at his post of duty and take care of 
the hospital as he had been doing. 

We continued our march to the first of the two lines of earth- 
works which surrounded the city. There, on a green plat by a 
little stream, where the road passed through one of the larger re- 
doubts, we halted and allowed the men to break ranks and scatter 
near the stacks of arms. 

We had opportunity to ride along the double wagon track cor- 
duroy road which ran behind the breastworks throughout their 
whole extent on the north side of the river. We noted the breast- 
works, the detached forts, the ditch, the magazines, the abatis, the 
rifle-pits, the huge cannon, and tried to form some idea of the labor 
expended in constructing the defenses of the already captured city. 
Add to the two lines before us, the intrenchments about Ft. Harri- 
son and Drury's Bluffs, the works on the south side of the river 
and on the lower peninsula, and we have an undertaking equal to 
any of the great enterprises of the world ; the walls of Babylon, 
the pyramids, the Erie canal — anything but the Chinese wall. 
. The 98th returned to the city in the afternoon and, about 5 



316 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



o'clock, stacked arms on the Capitol grounds in front of the City 
Hall with headquarters in the room belonging to the Court of 
Hustings. Devens' office was above, in the rooms of the Circuit 
Court ; and Army headquarters were in President Davis' mansion. 

Guards were posted at the hotels, churches, depots and more im- 
portant places. Libby prison and Castle Thunder, with several 
hundred prisoners, were transferred to our authorities. The pri- 
soners were liberated, and Libby was soon filled with straggling 
or captured Confederate soldiers and disorderly persons. 

During the disorder several of the foreign consuls asked for 
protection, and the 98th sent details for the British, German and 
Italian consulates. 

In the early evening, the city settled into quiet ; few were seen 
in the streets but Union soldiers ; few sounds were heard but the 
clatter of Union orderlies and the footfalls of Union patrols. The 
fires still smouldered in the ruins of the great warehouses. At in- 
tervals, here and there over the burning district, they reached some 
more combustible matter and, flashing through the smoke, lit up 
the evening sky, and then all was dark again. 

The most degraded of the populace of Richmond were burned 
out of home and clothes and bread the night before. They strag- 
gled through the streets, collected on the corners and vacant places, 
half clothed, wrapped in sheets, bed clothes and sacks. They 
carried children, bundles and every conceivable article of house- 
hold and kitchen furniture. For want of more room and a better 
place, our authorities collected them in and around the great Capi- 
tol. On the steps, on the portico, in the halls, in the lobbies they 
slept ; on both sides of the walks, on the ground, in long, close 
ranks they lay. In the auditors' rooms, in the President's room, 
in the hall of the House of Delegates for the state of Virginia, on 
the chairs and desks ; in the library, among the books and papers, 
on the blanks and forms ; in the Confederate Halls of state where 
the magnates so lately sat and held high conclave, this hungry, 
homeless, destitute, vicious, criminal, abandoned rabble crowded, 
jostled, shuffled its way, and like unclean beasts lay down and slept. 

We read in Lossing's history : 

" Major A. H. Stevens, 4th Mass. cavalry, and Major E. Graves, 
of Gen. Weitzel's Staff, were sent, with a small squadron of cav- 
alry, to demand of the Mayor, Joseph Mayo, the surrender of the 
city." How did they know he was in it, or where he was to be 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 317 



found? To demand the surrender of what they already pos- 
sessed. To demand the surrender of the city which was in ex- 
treme need of their presence to snatch it from entire destruction 
by conflagration and sacking by a howling mob. 

In the next sentence he writes: "They were courteously re- 
ceived, and the keys of the public buildings were handed to them 
at the City Hall at seven o'clock." 

If "courteously received," then men receive each other "cour- 
teously" everywhere, every day. They shook hands with the Mayor, 
after finding him at the City Hall, and said good morning, and 
that was the courteous reception. As to the keys of the public 
buildings, the jails and prisons had been thrown open the night be- 
fore and their contents emptied upon the streets, and the City Hall 
was filled the night before with men, women, children, goods and 
furniture from the burned district. The truth is, Mayo had nothing 
to surrender or deliver, not even himself. While the 98th was 
standing at parade rest in front of the City Hall, and the arrival 
and peaceable intent of the Yankees was generally known, Mayo 
came there between 9 and 10 a. m., and reported to our authorities. 
Stevens and Graves, riding with the skirmish line, entered the city 
before the regiment, not exceeding ten minutes. We wish to dis- 
abuse the public of the falsity of these statements, made probably 
to some reporter, whose letter or account has furnished the basis 
of Lossing's history. 

In the second following sentence again we read: "At eight 
o'clock Gen. Weitzel and staff rode in at the head of Ripley's 
brigade of negro troops who had the honor of first entering the 
late Confederate capital, when Lieut. De Peyster ascended to the 
roof of the Virginia State House, in which the Confederate con- 
gress had so lately held its sessions, and, assisted by Capt. Langdon, 
Weitzel's chief of artillery, hoisted over it the grand old flag of 
the Republic !" 

There was not a negro soldier in Ripley's brigade, and when 
De Peyster hoisted the "grand old flag of the Republic," he took 
down the silken colors of the 98th. 

So much for history as written by Benson J. Lossing. De Peys- 
ter graces the story better than Oakley, and historians are suscepti- 
ble. The truth is that the colors of the 98th waved over the 
Capitol from 8 to 9 a. m., until they sent back to Weitzel's head- 
quarters and procured Lossing's "Grand Old Flag" and Greeley's 



31 8 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

" real American Flag," of which they are so particular to speak 
and ascribe the honor of raising to Lieut. De Peyster. 

No resistance was offered to our entry, occupation or possession 
of the city ; on the contrary, nearly every one we saw, whether in 
window, door or street, welcomed us with shouts and smiles as 
friends and deliverers. 

In that afternoon when we returned from our march on the Me- 
chanicsville pike, we observed that the troops of the second bri- 
gade, who had followed us into the city, and who were directed to 
put out the fire, had surrounded it by tearing down a few buildings, 
checked its progress and subdued its force. A third of the city, 
the heart of Richmond, valued at many millions of dollars, was 
consumed. 

As we rode near the ashes of the city post-office, we saw a woman 
hold in her handkerchief and show to her friends all that she had 
saved of her burned child — a handful of hair, a few pieces of bones 
and a few first joints of fingers. Near the Custom House, on 
Carey street, the soldiers had improvised a morgue and collected 
about twenty dead bodies taken from the ruins. Near the great 
magazine, beyond the African church, about two hundred inmates 
of the alms-house were killed by the* shock of the great explosion. 
The building was of wood, and stood alone near the magazine on 
the side-hill, and many of the paupers were blown out through the 
doors and windows, and scattered on the ground from fifty to a 
hundred feet away. The chimneys were thrown down, the doors 
and windows were crushed in, the sides of the house were blown 
apart ; in short, in all history, nothing has equaled the destructive 
force of the explosion since the capture of Jericho. 

On the morning of the 4th of April, we were directed to place 
the regiment in the old market on 17th street, and take possession 
of, govern, watch and guard, all of the lower part of the city from 
16th street. Our district included the Virginia Central railroad 
depot, nearly all of the tobacco ware-houses, Libby Prison, Castle 
Thunder, Chimborazo hospital, a portion of the city called Bird 
in Hand, and Rocketts, the port of Richmond. We received no 
orders, no rules, no law ; but immediately set to work patroling the 
district, establishing rounds, posting guards, seizing arms, stores, 
and public property. The men occupied the ground floor of the 
old market, the officers had the rooms above, and regimental or 
district headquarters were in the St. Charles hotel. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1.- 319 

That hotel had been occupied by the Medical Staff and Sanitary- 
Commission of the state of Georgia; and, besides, we found stored 
there many of the instruments and maps stolen by the Confederates 
from the United States Coast Survey ; as, transits, levels and theo- 
dolites In it we found about a thousand poor whites and negroes 
from the burned tenements, crowded from garret to cellar, rapa- 
cious and unclean as Virgil's harpies. These we sent, with all their 
children, baggage, traps and stores, to Chimborazo hopital. This 
was an infectious riddance, a salutary and sanitary labor, only 
equaled by Hercules in the destruction of the Stymphalian birds. 

Late in the afternoon, the detail which we had sent back in the 
morning to our old camp for stores, returned. In the suburbs of 
the city they had impressed four yokes of oxen and a heavy wagon 
which had a high box constructed like a surf-boat. On this wagon 
and on the oxen were piled, hung or tied everything belonging to 
the regiment left behind, trunks and bedding, provisions and 
clothing, arms and quartermaster's stores. As they approached the 
old market they reminded us of those headquarter wagons which 
followed the conquest of Europe in Carlovingian days. 

For a military capital the spoils were inconsiderable. Of the 
5,000 sick, over 3,000 were m ours,* the second or lower district; 
of the 500 heavy cannon, all those found from the Mechanicsville 
turnpike around to the river below, were first placed under guards 
of the 98th ; of the 5,000 stands of small arms, nearly 3,500 were 
seized by us and turned over to the ordnance department ; and of 
the locomotives and cars, all those belonging to the Virginia Cen- 
tral were in the 2d district. 

President Lincoln had been at City Point since March 24, in 
communication with Gen. Grant at the front. He at once tele- 
graphed the fall of Richmond to Washington, and soon far and 
near the news was sent over the loyal states, and the feeling of 
gratitude and joy was not less exuberant and demonstrative in the 
Northern cities than in Richmond. In most of these all business 
was suspended, and the public offices closed. The people burned 
bonfires, fired salvos and shouted themselves hoarse. 

In the afternoon, the President came to Rocketts with Admiral 
Porter in his flag ship, the Malvern. Thence they went in a row- 
boat to the foot of 17th street. Landing there, and, accompanied 
by six or eight of the crew armed with carbines and revolvers, they 
walked to Weitzel's headquarters in the Davis mansion. His 



320 , NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

arrival was soon known by all, and the greater part of the city 
thronged about the Capitol and the City Hall to see him. He 
soon after rode around the Capitol grounds and through the more 
crowded streets, in an open wagon drawn by four horses. Where- 
ever he passed the people made the wildest demonstrations of joy ; 
they shouted, sang and threw up their hats, and rushed towards 
him. In the evening he returned to City Point. 

At 10 o'clock on the night of the 4th of April, the city enjoyed 
the security and repose of Rochester ; our guards, rounds and 
patrols had more power and activity than a metropolitan police; 
and they promptly arrested every disorderly person, and effectually 
silenced every uproar and disturbance. 

Near sunset, a sergeant, with two privates, was dragging, push- 
ing, and forcing a rather large, burly, red-faced, noisy and intoxi- 
cated Englishman to the lock-up in the old market. Just at that 
time the Englishman chanced to see the British consul passing by 
on horseback, and throwing up his arms, he shouted to him, say- 
ing: "I am an Englishman ; I have been arrested for nothing ; 
I am a loyal citizen of England. Come and have me released." 
The consul dashed up to the sergeant at full speed, and vocifera- 
ted : " Release him. He is an -English subject. I am the British 
consul, and demand his immediate release in the name of Her 
Majesty, the Queen of the British Empire." This was "big talk" 
for Sergt. Rhodes, but he cooly replied : " There stands the com- 
manding officer of the district on the front steps of the building ; 
you must go and speak to him." 

The writer had witnessed the whole affair. The consul then 
dashed up to us and said : " Who commands the troops here?" 
We replied that we were that officer. He then, manifesting much 
excitement, spoke fast and loud : " I am the British consul here, 
and ask by what authority you arrest one of our citizens ? In the 
name of the British Government I demand his immediate re- 
lease." We directed the sergeant to bring the prisoner to us, 
and then asked why he had arrested the Englishman ? He 
answered: "For being drunk and disorderly; we found him 
crazy drunk, yelling and howling, and trying to fight the guard." 
The writer then addressed the consul: "We are here, as you 
see, with these troops to maintain order, and restore the city to 
peace and law. It seems to us that you should assist us in this 
duty by restraining or confining your drunken citizens, rather 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 32 I 



than by seeking to turn them loose. We cannot release your 
British subject. The sergeant will confine him in our lock-up 
until he is sober, and then he will let him go." The consul 
saw that he had been a little too fast, suppressed with difficulty 
his rising thoughts, said, finally, that he would report the case, 
and rode away. In the morning we discharged Her Majesty's 
loyal subject, and never heard of him again. We often saw the 
consul afterwards, but he never saw us, or looked at us, or spoke 
to us, or in any way recognized us. 

We were detailed for division officer of the day for the 5th. 
For this duty it was our last tour ; after that our office had a civil 
character, and was executive, administrative and judicial. During 
the day we rode around and through the city, and visited the 
guards, the prisons, the public places, and the headquarters of the 
different districts, and directed the guards and patrols to compel 
the owners or lessees of property to sweep the streets in front of 
their lots. It was high time for this measure ; for the streets 
during the four years of Confederate rule had never felt a broom. 
The filth and rubbish already needed the cleansing fire and the 
disinfecting brimstone, the rain, of Sodom and Gomorrah. 

We passed over to Belle Isle, an island in the James above the 
bridges, in the upper part of the city. The lower part of it was 
turfless, packed and trodden like a sheep-pen. A few board shan- 
ties still stood on the upper part, which rose above the water 
five to ten feet ; the lower portion is sandy, and at times sub- 
merged. Being above the falls, the river flows rapidly around it. 
The prisoners were kept on the lower or barren end, and suffered 
more than those in Libby prison, because they were without shel- 
ter. At first they had a few ragged tents, but in "the days of 
starvation" they had neither tents, barracks, nor shanties; but, in 
rain, frost and snow, winter and summer, often without blan- 
kets, coats, shoes, and hats, they lay on the bare ground without 
wholesome and sufficient food. 

About five acres of the lower portion of the island were sur- 
rounded by a ditch and breastwork, along which sentinels were 
stationed at intervals of fifty feet. Within that enclosure the 
prisoners were crowded in varying numbers from five to ten thou- 
sand. They were enlisted men, and all the brutality and cruelty 
which Southern ingenuity and hatred could suggest wers practiced 
upon them. They were denied the use of the river water, and 
21 



322 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



were not allowed to visit the higher and shaded part of the island. 
Scorched in summer, frozen in winter, sick, hungry, naked, the 
unconscious offenders died, but nature wronged appealed to na. 
ture's God ; the men of the South threw away their property and 
lives in unavailing conflict, and the hopes and expectations of the 
leaders of the Confederacy have perished forever. The descrip- 
tion of the treatment and condition of the Union soldiers on Belle 
Isle during portions of the years 1863 and 1864, constitutes one of 
the most horrid pages in the Book of Time. 

The bridge for the Richmond and Petersburg railroad crossed 
the river just below, and the windows of many of the finest resi- 
dences of the city look out upon the island. Add to the horrors 
of Libby those of Belle Isle, Salisbury and Andersonville, and we 
have a parallel for the persecutions and cruelties of the religious 
wars of Europe, or, for the conquest of India as described by 
Burke. 

Just at this time there are no provisions in the city ; the peo- 
ple are everywhere asking for food, and every citizen whom we 
accost tells us of pressing need and actual destitution. The Con- 
federates burned the public stores, warehouses and commissary 
buildings, and there are no private supplies. Bread and meat will 
do ; tea, coffee and sugar are out of the question. Nothing short 
of starvation can exceed their condition. The base of an army, a 
beleaguered city for four years, the crime and shame of the Con- 
federacy have centered and settled here. The prostitution and in- 
famy of all the Southern cities have gravitated here, and held their 
orgies unrestrained. 

The citizens charge Davis and General 
Ewell with burning the city, and speak 
of their conduct with unmitigated se- 
verity. Leaving the populace in an- 
archy and destitution, they sought to 
plunge them still deeper in misery and 
wretchedness by burning their property 
and homes, and compelling them to 
abandon the city and fly with them. 

Ewell denies the allegation, and at- 
tributes the firing of the public build- 
£WELt-v> ings to the mob; but the people of 

Richmond unanimously laid upon him the responsibility of the 




FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 323 



fiendish act. Upon our entry, with them, not a shadow of a 
doubt of his complicity in the affair existed ; let him, therefore, 
stand in the shade, and let a dark mantle hide his memory from 
the light of military renown. 

At 10 a. m. the provost marshals of the districts met at Weitzel's 
headquarters and marked out a line of procedure ; in the afternoon, 
as department commander, he announced the different districts of 
the city and their commanders, and required the people to register 
at the district headquarters. By that order it became our duty to 
register every person living in the second district, to govern and- 
patrol it, to quell disorders, to arrest and confine straggling sol- 
diers, and to administer the oath of allegiance to such as were 
willing to take it. To assist us we had the 98th and 81st N. Y. 
vol., and just outside of the city was encamped on Chimborazo hill, 
for reserve and support, the 206th Penn. vols. 

So our provost duty now begins to have method and take form 
and shape. We go to the city library and procure blank books ; 
we have passes and paroles printed at the office of the Richmond 
Whig. We take one of our regimental clerks and detail Lieut. 
Sperry to assist us ; and we borrow from the 2d auditor's office at 
the Capitol some office-furniture, a table, a desk, some law books, 
the Code of Virginia and the City Ordinances. We ourselves are 
to be the law, the judge and the jury, and we shall try from ten to 
fifteen cases a day. From us the appeal is to the department 
commander, and from him to the authorities at Washington. No 
decision shall be reversed or sent back for correction. We have 
more than 15,000 people to govern, and our constabulary estab- 
lishment numbers something less than seven hundred officers and 
men. 

The city is full of refugees, white and black ; every house, barn, 
shed and cellar is crowded, and every road is streaming full, pour- 
ing in the stragglers from Lee's army and the contrabands from 
the surrounding country. They roam and idle through the streets 
in the day time, and sleep in the woods, groves and door-yards at 
night. Hungry and destitute, their intents are peaceable and 
their objects charitable. 

The commissaries are unloading immense quantities of provisions 
at Rocketts; army wagons are carrying them to different points in 
the city for distribution to the famishing populace ; but little tea, 
sugar and coffee, but little pork and beef, but plenty of hard bread 



324 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

and codfish. Hard bread and codfish in half rations to every- 
body every day ; but the other articles only on the orders of physi- 
cians and provost marshals. 

The first families of Virginia, as well as the last families, dislike 
hard bread and codfish, but prefer flour, meal and meat. They 
ask for the other articles, and take the codfish under protest. They 
say there is no relish in the hard bread, and that they cannot eat 
the ie stinking fish." Nevertheless, the families of Lee and of many 
other officers who are still in the army, send in their requisitions for 
food, and from the family of Robert E. Lee down to that of the low- 
est trooper they eat the " destitute ration." Richmond never held 
before such piles of hard bread and so many huge casks of codfish. 

By 10 a. m. of the 7th, we were well established in our office. 
The rooms and halls of the St. Charles were full of people : the 
walk and street in front were crowded and packed like a mass 
meeting. They wished to register their names, to take the oath of 
allegiance, to obtain permits to open business, to make complaints 
against soldiers, citizens, negroes, and to ascertain on what basis' 
to settle their old accounts. 

At 4 p. m. we direct the guard at the lower door to permit no 
more to enter ; at 5 p. m. the hotel is closed, and we take our din- 
ner. On our board, la table if hole, we had lettuce and asparagus 
sent from Powhatan Seat by Mr. Mayo, fresh shad from the James, 
butter obtained of a Mr. Thorn who lived on the Williamsburg 
road near Seven Pines, and beef, bread, rice, coffee and sugar pur- 
chased of the commissary. 

At 6 p. M., on horseback, we rode through our district and made 
the rounds of the guards. The French tobacco blazed up at inter- 
vals in the fallen warehouses, and the fire still smouldered in the 
rubbish of the burnt buildings. 

We learned at headquarters that Gen. Sheridan and the 6th 
corps captured, yesterday, at Sailor's creek, Gen. Ewell with his 
division consisting of six thousand men. 

To-day the streets were full of people from early business hours 
until dark ; women and children were everywhere. It was gratify- 
ing to see the security they manifested. 

To-morrow, Gen. Devens will review, in Main street, his grand 
old division for the last time, and all Richmond will turn out to 
see the parade. Every one shall commend the scarred and war- 
worn veterans, heroes of more than twenty battles, and acknow- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 325 

ledge that for drill, correct carriage, ease of movement and pre- 
cision of manoeuvre it far surpassed any similar organization in the 
Southern army. 

In the evening we were entertained by a band of music, and 
honored with a call from twenty citizens " who were loyal from 
the first." Several speeches were made; the orators deplored the 
war, promised glorious times for the future, said that Maximilian 
must get out of Mexico, and that Lee and Johnston should surren- 
der at once and stop the war. 



326 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING^ 



CHAPTER XXII. 



The Retreat of Lee — Pursuit and Capture of the Army - of Northern Virginia — Sheridan, Ord 
and Wright capture Ewell's Division — The March from Amelia to Farmville — Lee's 
Council of War — He overrules its Decision— How the National Army was supplied — 
Grant to Lee, and Lee in Reply — Sheridan's Forced March to Appomattox Station — He 
captures Four Trains loaded with Supplies for the Confederate Army — Sheridan on the 
March — His Scouts — The Country marched over hy Sheridan and Ord — Sheridan's 
Advance on the Morning of the 9th of April — The Last Charge of the Army of North- 
ern Virginia — Lee goes to hold a Conference with Grant — Grant leaves the Army of the 
Potomac and joins Sheridan — The Cessation, the Interview, the Surrender — Correspond- 
ence of Grant and Lee — Appearance of the two Commanders — The Confederates return to ' 
their Homes and the Army of the Potomac to Washington. 

THE intelligent and inquiring reader naturally asks, at this point 
of our progressive history, where are our comrades, Gen. Ord 
and the three divisions of our corps, where is the Army of the Poto- 
mac and what is it doing? Where is Gen. Lee and the Army of 
Northern Virginia? 

Richmond and Petersburg were evacuated simultaneously, and 
while the government, the civil authorities, made what haste they 
could toward Lynchburg and Danville, Gen. Evvell with the mili- 
tary joined the army of Gen. Lee near Amelia court-house 

Immediately upon the discovery of the evacuation of Petersburg 
and of the direction of Lee's retreat, Gen. Grant broke his army 
into three detachments and began the pursuit. Driven from the 
Southside railroad, compelled to abandon Petersburg, Lee sought 
a new base of supplies in the Danville road and directed the several 
columns of his broken army to meet at Amelia court-house, a 
station on the new line south of the Appomattox in the pathway of 
retreat. Thither he ordered rations and stores from Danville to 
meet him. There he hoped to hold the National army in check 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



327 



until the Confederacy could be re-established and his own command 
united with that of Johnston. 

A train bearing supplies was sent from Danville, but through 
some mistake it proceeded to Richmond When Lee arrived at 
Amelia court-house and learned the blunder, he became discour- 
aged, hope forsook him; for poorly supplied at best, his soldiers 
had been six days marching and fighting. He had hoped with 
his army of 35,000 men united at that point and well provisioned 
to overwhelm the detachments of Grant as they should arrive. Now 
he had no alternative but to continue the retreat. Behind him in 
hot pursuit along the Southside railroad were Ord, Wright and 
Sheridan ; north of these, near the Appomattox and behind him, 
were Meade and the Army of the Potomac. Lee arrived at 
Amelia court-house on the 4th, and remained there until the 
morning of the 6th, waiting and foraging for supplies. This was 
valuable time irreparably lost. During these two days he might 
have reached and crossed the Appomattox 35 miles distant at Farm- 
ville ; but when he resumed his westward march on the morning of 
the 6th, Sheridan, Ord, and Wright with the sixth corps were 
swarming and camping round him ; and Gen. Reade, Ord's adju- 
tant general, was pressing forward with a detachment of infantry 
and cavalry to seize that important crossing, anticipating his line of 
retreat. 

From Amelia the horrors of the Army of Northern Virginia 
began. It was completely surrounded by the Union forces; its 
progress was a running fight. Tired, sleepless, hungry, many of 
the men threw away their arms and knapsacks and marched a 
general route, a famished, heartsick, silent and tumultuous crowd. 
On front, flank and rear our forces pressed upon them. Sheridan, 
Ord and Wright co-operating, pierced the Confederate line this 
day, captured sixteen cannon, four hundred wagons and Ewell's 
division, consisting of 6,000 men. Nothing on record exceeds that 
terrible day's march from Amelia to Farmville ; while our soldiers 
were exulting in numbers and success, the condition of the Con- 
federates was deplorable. The men everywhere straggled and fell 
behind. Famished animals hitched to wagons and cannons stood 
at short intervals beside the road. Our forces pressed them too 
close for rest, the country was too poor for forage, the roads too 
bad for them to further drag along. The straggling soldiers often 
lay on the ground and refused to rise or speak when our men ap- 



328 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



proached. Lee felt that he was playing a losing game with his 
troops, and fought and marched without spirit and hope. 

Early on the morning of the 7th, Lee's army had crossed the 
Appomattox at Farmville. His efforts to destroy the bridges had 
failed. Half of his soldiers had thrown away their arms ; what am- 
munition, cannons and wagons they still retained could be hauled 
but little further. The Union forces, eager, confident, hot in pur- 
suit, were closing in overwhelming forces around him. His offi- 
cers held a consultation. They united in the opinion that " every 
effort to save the army will increase its disaster;" in short, they 
cannot advance; they have no men, no ammunition, no means, no 
ability to fight any longer. They recommended a surrender of the 
army. But Lee could not see the exigency. He placed his army 
in some earthworks which had been constructed a few miles west 
and north of Farmville, on the stage road to Lynchburg, and be- 
gan to intrench. Humphreys, with the 2d corps, crossed the river 
in pursuit, and pressed upon him with two divisions. Humphreys 
was repulsed, and Lee was encouraged. Lee halted and intrenched 
to allow his trains to get in advance, to gain time. During the 
day our generals, Crook and Gregg, having forded the river above, 
attacked a body of infantry guarding some wagons which were at 
the left, and in advance of Humphreys. The cavalry was driven 
off,, and Gregg was taken prisoner. This is the Gregg who figured 
with us in 1862 at Bottom's bridge, and in the advance to Seven 
Pines. 

In the meantime, Sheridan, Ord and Griffin were marching 
south and west of Farmville, near Prince Edward's court-house, 
to prevent the Confederates from retreating on Danville. Meade 
and Grant were at Farmville, superintending the crossing of the 
Army of the Potomac, the 6th and 2d corps. Our troops 
were supplied from City Point by the military railroad and army 
wagons. The rations were issued from the wagons to the regi- 
ments wherever found. The men, for several days, had nothing to 
eat but pork and hard bread. They were in arms day and night. 
But few hours were allowed for rest and sleep ; they ate from their 
haversacks and drank from the streams. After the repulse of 
Humphreys and Crook, Lee received from Grant the following 
note : 

April 7, 1865. 

" General — The result of the last week must convince you of the 




\ 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 329 

hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern 
Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and rpgard it as my duty 
to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, 
by asking you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate states' 
army, known as the Army of Northern Virginia. 

"U. S. Grant, Lt. General. 

"Gen. R. E. Lee." 

Lee received the communication during the afternoon, and 
withheld his reply until evening. Thus closed the 7th without ad- 
vantage, unfavorable to the Union cause. During the night, Lee 
resumed his march, taking the road to Lynchburg, encouraged by 
his success over the 2d corps, and hoping to elude Sheridan, who, 
miscalculating, was seeking to head him off from retreating to- 
wards Danville. 

On the morning of the 8th, Grant received at Farmville, Lee's 
letter of the 7th : 

April 7, 1865. 

" General: — I . have received your note of this date. Though not en- 
tertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further re- 
sistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate 
your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and, therefore, before 
considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on considera- 
tion of its surrender. R. E. Lee, General. 

"Lt. General U. S. Grant." 

When the morning of the 8th unshrouded the movements of Lee, 
all hands resumed the pursuit. Sheridan was informed of the di- 
rection he had taken, and turning northward sought to get in his 
advance again and cut him off from Lynchburg ; while Grant and 
Meade, with the 2nd and 6th corps pressed upon his rear and en- 
deavored to bring on a general engagement. 

During the morning, Grant sent a reply to Lee's despatch of the 
7th : 

April 8, 1865. 

General : — Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking 
the conditions on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern 
Virginia, is just received. In reply I would say, that, peace being my great de- 
sire, there is but one condition I would insist upon, namely, that the men and 
officers surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms against the govern- 
ment of the United States until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or will 



33° 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the purpose, at any point 
agreeable to you, for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which 
the surrender of the Army of Northern,Virginia will be received. 

U. S. Grant, Lt. General . 

General R. E. Lee. 

The Confederates, to supply Lee's army, had sent up four trains 
of provisions and stores from Lynchburg to Appomattox station on 
the Lynchburg railroad, five miles south of Appomattox court- 
house. His scouts inform Sheridan of this, and Sheridan makes 
for Appomattox station. With him are Crook, (who re-crossed the 
river after his repulse at the wagon trains by the infantry,) Custer, 
Merritt, Devin, with their cavalry ; they are followed by the de- 
tachment of the 24th corps commanded by Ord, and the 5th corps 
by Griffin. After a march of 28 miles, Custer leading the advance, 
reached and surrounded the depot and trains late in the night and 
snatched the supplies from Lee's starving army. " This was the 
most unkindest cut of all." 

Without delay, Custer and Devin pushed northward toward Ap- 
pomattox court house. Sheridan hastened up the remainder of his 
cavalry and disposed his whole force across the path of the ap- 
proaching Confederate army. He informed Grant of his position, 
and said that the surrender or destruction of Lee's army was inevi- 
table. Fighting until after midnight, he drove the enemy's advance 
back upon his main body, captured 25 guns, a hospital train, a 
park of wagons and several hundred prisoners. 

After marching all night, Ord and Griffin arrived at Appomattox 
station, where the infantry were allowed to rest and prepare their 
morning meal. They were informed that the van of Lee's army 
was but five miles distant, that the cavalry had just driven it back 
upon the main body, and that they were to advance as soon as pos- 
sible and prevent the farther progress of the enemy. 

Thus matters moved on the 8th after night drew the curtain. 
Lee, deeming nothing but cavalry before him, had not lost all hope 
of saving his army, as will be seen by the following letter which 
he sent to Grant in the evening: 

April 8, 1865. 

General: — I received at a late hour your note of to-day. In mine of 
yesterday I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of 
Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be 
frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender 
of this army ; but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 33 1 

of all, I desire to know whether your proposal would lead to that end. 
I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of 
Northern Virginia ; but as far as your proposal may affect the Confede- 
rate States' forces under my command, and tend to the restoration of 
peace, I should be pleased to meet you at 10 a. m. to-morrow, on the 
old stage road to Richmond, between the picket lines of the two armies. 

R. E. Lee, General. 

Lt. General U. S. Grant. 

During the greater part of this day's long march, Ord and Sheri- 
dan rode together with the reserve cavalry, and Devin, Crook and 
Custer were in front. 

From Farmville, several wagon roads lead westward; the south- 
ern runs near the South-side railroad, which it crosses a few miles 
east of, and then again a few miles west of, Appomattox station. 
A short distance north of this road, and parallel with it, lies the 
second ; and north of the Appomattox circuitously runs westward 
the third, which intersects the second near Appomattox court- 
house, and the first a short distance beyond Appomattox station. 
Sheridan, Ord and Griffin took the first and second, and Lee with 
his army, followed by the Army of the Potomac, pursued the third. 
We may represent Lee's course by the bow, Sheridan's by the 
string ; Sheridan has the inside track. If Lee can pass Appomat- 
tox station first, he will save his army in the fortifications of Lynch- 
burg and the mountain fastnesses of western Virginia ; but if Sheri- 
dan can make that important strategical point first, he will block 
Lee's way, head him off and crush him between his own and the 
Army of the Potomac. 

From Amelia to Appomattox the country is rolling, undulating 
and variously diversified. Amelia, Buckingham and Prince Ed- 
ward were organized into counties nearly a quarter of a century 
before General Sullivan made his raid on the Indians in central 
and western New York. The upland is poor and worn out ; the 
bottom lands are fertile. The products are wheat, corn, oats and 
tobacco. The idle and thriftless way of living, the injudicious, 
ignorant and short-sighted mode of cultivation pursued by the in- 
habitants have deteriorated the country and the farms. 

A member of Ord's staff, an acquaintance of ours, who accom- 
panied him on the march, related to us, on his return to Rich- 
mond, many incidents and particulars. Ord, he said, was generally 
loquacious, but Sheridan was silent and thoughtful. Sheridan 



33 2 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



appeared intensely absorbed in the march, and nervously attentive 
and alive to every report or word that came from the front. When- 
ever be heard a volley or cannon shot he would dash off furiously, 
taking the direction of the sound, and never return or compose 
himself until it ceased or he understood all that was going on. 
From the generals in front, orderlies and officers were constantly 
going and coming, conducting citizens, negroes and scouts, or 
bringing information. During the intervals when no reports were 
heard and the march was uninterrupted, he would become cheerful 
and engage in conversation. On one occasion he broke half an 
hour's silence by muttering to himself, " Jamie's on the stormy 
sea." 

He soon after began to talk about Burns and his poetry with a 
Mr. Gile, a citizen of Amelia county, whom he had induced to go 
with him as a guide, and who was a descendant of Gov. Gile, of 
Virginia. He said that Burns was his favorite poet, and that no 
person had ever equaled him in the number of the pictures which 
he had given in his complete little poems. In the purity of his 
figures and images, in the beauty and sublimity of his sentiments, 
he was behind none of the great orators, poets or moralists of the 
world. The house of Hanover might have its place and figure in 
history, but he would rather be Robert Burns than possess the 
glory of all the Georges. What," said he, rising in his saddle, 
" is being President, to living forever in the mouths of men ! How 
beautiful, how complete, how chaste, how perfect in themselves 
are a hundred of his little songs Or poems ! How the simple cha- 
racters from the vales and hillsides of Scotland live in his Doric 
lays!" 

He liked to talk of his raids and battles, and dwelt long upon 
their turning points and causes of success. He had a well in- 
structed and efficient corps of scouts and spies. He questioned 
them closely, listened to them attentively, heard them through, 
and for important information or hazardous enterprizes rewarded 
them princely. The scouts were organized, enrolled and paid, yet 
to each of the three who informed him of the four trains waiting with 
supplies for Lee's army at Appomattox station, he gave one hun- 
dred dollars in gold. For a week or ten days before he undertook 
any of his raids he was accustomed to examine by his scouts and 
spies the route intended to be taken. 

Without waiting for a reply in the morning to his letter of the 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 333 



evening, Lee, thinking he could brush the thin cloud of cavalry 
from his front, which had captured his supplies and driven back 
his van-guard since night fall, ordered Gordon to advance at day- 
light and clear the way with Hill's old corps. This was the last 
charge of the Army of Northern Virginia, and in vigor and dash 
fell far beneath its former efforts. Misfortune, hunger, bootless 
courage and energy had exhausted its force and quenched its spirit. 

Before sunrise, Sheridan with the reserve cavalry, had joined our 
forces near the court-house; the infantry under Ord and Griffin, 
after marching all night and breakfasting at Appomattox station, 
had resumed the march at daylight, and was hastening on to sup- 
port the cavalry. 

The cavalry dismounted to receive the enemy's attack, and 
retired slowly before his advance ; but when the infantry arrived 
and formed upon suitable positions, the cavalry, unmasking its firm 
line of battle, retired from the field to the right, mounted and pre- 
pared to attack the enemy's left flank. The Confederates seeing 
the gleaming bayonets of the dense masses of infantry before them 
lost the heart to charge or fight. They hesitated, they broke, they 
ceased to advance. Gordon, soon after, sent towards that part of 
the line still held by Gen. Custer, a white flag and asked for a 
brief suspension of the battle until he could send a message to Gen. 
Lee. The messenger found Lee, Mahone and Longstreet together 
sitting on a log, smoking by a camp-fire. They were waiting for 
the result of Gordon's advance, knowing that the existence of the 
army depended upon the success of his charge. But when Lee 
learned that Gordon had failed he said to Longstreet : " General, 
I leave you in charge. I am going to hold a conference with 
General Grant." He ordered a white flag to precede him, and 
rode to the rear towards our lines. Arriving at his own picket 
line, he was met by the bearer of a white flag from General Grant, 
who handed him the following letter in reply to his own of the 
evening before : 

April 9, 1865. 

General :— Your note of yesterday is received. I have no authority 
to treat on the subject of peace. The meeting proposed for 10 a. m. to- 
day could lead to no good. I will state, however, General, that I am 
equally anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains 
the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well 
understood. By the South laying down their arms, they will hasten that 



334 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



event, save thousands of human lives and hundreds of millions of pro- 
perty not yet destroyed. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may 
be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself respectfully, 

U. S. Grant, Lt. General. 

General R/E. Lee. 

Grant, after sending this letter to Lee in the early morning, left 
the Army of the Potomac, crossed the Appomattox, and was has- 
tening to join Sheridan and Griffin, when a courier overtook him 
and delivered the note below from Lee : 

April 9, 1865. 

General : — I received your note of this morning on the picket line, 
whither I had come to meet you, and ascertain definitely what terms 
were embraced in your proposal of yesterday with reference to the sur- 
render of this army. I now ask an interview in accordance with the 
offer contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. 

R. E. Lee, General. 

Lt. General, U. S. Grant. 

After Sheridan received the white flag, he rode to Appomattox 
court-house, where he met Gen. Gordon, who commanded the 
enemy's advanced corps, and who informed him that Lee and 
Grant were then making arrangements for the capitulation of the 
Confederate army. At that time Lee was with his own picket to- 
wards the rear next to the Army of the Potomac, and Grant having 
changed his route, had ridden all night after Sheridan. The ar- 
mies of Lee and Sheridan were between the two commanders. 
Soon after, however, Grant having ridden thirty-seven miles during 
the night, arrived at Sheridan's headquarters, whence he sent 
word to Lee that he assented to his request, and named for the 
place of interview the small brick dwelling of Mr. Wilmer McLean, 
one of the five houses which composed the village of Appomattox 
court house. 

The morning of the 9th of April was damp and foggy; but the 
rising sun dispelled the mist, thinned the clouds and broke at in- 
tervals through their scattered fragments. The leaves were out on a 
few trees, and roses, violets and daffodils were blooming in the 
door-yards. 

When the time arrived for the interview, Grant, accompanied 
by Ord, Sheridan and their staffs walked to the house. Lee's 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



335 



blooded, iron-gray horse, wearing a one line bridle and a plain 
saddle, with the owner's initials upon a corner, was nibbling at the 
grass, in charge of a Confederate orderly. Grant and two aids 
entering the house while the rest sat down on the, porch, found 
Lee and Col. Marshall, his chief of staff. Lee stood beside a table, 
wearing a light bluish-gray uniform, a military hat with a gold 
cord, buckskin gauntlets, high-riding boots, and a beautiful sword. 
His hair and beard were long and gray. He was tall and soldierly. 

" Grant, with his slouched hat, dark-blue frock-coat unbuttoned 
and covered with mud, light-blue pantaloons, tucked in his soiled 
boots and a dark waistcoat — wore no sword, and no indications of 
his rank except the double row of buttons on his coat, and the 
three silver stars. They shook hands, sat down and talked of 
business. Lee asked no modifications of Grant's terms " 

Subsequently, Grant said speaking of the interview: "I had 
ridden that morning thirty-seven miles. I was in my campaign 
clothes, covered with dust and mud. I had no sword. I was not 
even wel!*mounted. I found Gen. Lee in a fresh suit of Confede- 
rate gray, with all the insignia of his rank, and at his side the 
splendid dress-sword which had been given to him by the state of 
Virginia." 

The business was discussed briefly, courteously, frankly. The 
terms were liberal, such as are usually accorded in an honorable 
military surrender, and were couched in epistolary formula. Grant 
stated them in a letter to Lee, and Lee accepted them in a letter of 
even date to Grant. We copy the letters : 

Appomattox Court-House, \ 
Virginia, April 9, 1865. j 

General : — In accordance with the substance of my letter to you on 
the 8th inst., I propose to receive the Army of Northern Virginia on the 
following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in 
duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the other to 
be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate. The officers 
to give their individual paroles not to take up arms against the govern- 
ment of the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or 
regimental commander to sign alike parole for the men of his command. 
The arms, artillery and public property, to be parked and stacked, and 
turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This 
will not embrace the side arms of the officers, nor their private horses 
or baggage. This done each officer and man will be allowed to return 



33^ 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



to his home, not to be disturbed by the United States authority so long 
as they observe their paroles, and the laws in force where they may 
reside. U. S. Grant, Lieutenant General. 

General R. E. Lee. 

' V I 

Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, 1 

April 9, 1865. } 

General : — I received your letter of this date containing the terms 
of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by you. 
As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter o 
the 8th inst., they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper 
officers to carry the stipulations into effect. 

R. E. Lee, General. 

Lieutenant General U. S. Grant. 

After the letters were signed, Lee said that he had forgotten one 
thing, but that it then was too late to speak of it — " permission to 
allow the enlisted men to keep their private cavalry and artillery 
horses." Grant replied, "I will instruct my paroling officers that 
all the enlisted men of your cavalry and artillery who own horses 
are to retain them, just as the officers do theirs. They will need 
them for their spring plowing and other farm work." " General," 
said Lee with emotion, " there is nothing that you could have 
done to accomplish more good either for them or the govern- 
ment. ' ' 

The officers of Lee's army gave the following personal parole : 

" We, the undersigned prisoners of war, belonging to the Army of 
Northern Virginia, having this day been surrendered by Gen. R. E. Lee 
commanding said army, to Lieut. General Grant commanding the 
armies of the United States, do hereby give the solemn parole of honor 
that we will not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate states 
or in any military capacity whatever against the United States of Ame- 
rica, or render aid to the enemies of the latter, until properly exchanged 
in such manner as shall be_ mutually approved by the respective au- 
thorities." 

From the 26th of March to the 9th of April, Lee had lost in priso- 
ners twenty-five thousand, and in killed and wounded fourteen 
thousand. He surrendered 26,000, of whom 9,000 were armed, 
16,000 stands of small arms, 150 cannons, 71 colors, 1,100 wagons 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



337 



and 4,000 horses and mules. In less than five days the paroling 
was finished. The Confederates were disbanded, and with all 
their private property allowed to return to thei? homes, and thus, 
like the baseless fabric of a vision ended the Army of Northern 
Virginia. The Army of the James went to Richmond and the 
Army of the Potomac to Washington, and the march from the 
Rapidan to Appomattox court-house cost, in killed, wounded and 
missing, the National government one hundred thousand men. 



338 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



The Military Government of Richmond and Vicinity — Gen. Patrick, Provost Marshal General 
of the Army of the Potomac, sets up his Office in the City — Gen. Dent, Military Governor — 
The City divided into four Districts — The Headquarters of the Assistant Provost Marshals 
— Registry of the Citizens ; they take the Oath of Allegiance — Robert A. Mayo waits to 
take the Oath — Richard Turner — Libby Prison, April ioth, 1865 — The Inadequacy of 
Punishment — The Port of Richmond — The Assassination of President Lincoln — How the 
News was received — General Lee's Arrival in Richmond — The Writer's Provost Court and 
the Newspapers — Miss Van Lew — The Left Wing of Sherman's Army passes through the 
City — President Johnson's Proclamation — Governor Pierpont — The Northern and the 
Soufhern Soldier — The Capture of Davis — Reconstruction — General Lee — The Mayor re- 
suscitat s his old Police — Gen. Patrick mustered out — Trade — The New York Tribune 
on the Negro — The Work of the Legislatur — Old Powhatan — Mrs. Gen. Winfield Scott 

AT some future time, if not now, it may be interesting, if not 
serviceable to the public, to know how Richmond was 
governed during the interval between the Hegira of the Confede- 
rate Authorities and the re-establishment of the civil polity of the 
State. The rural portions of Virginia were divided into districts 
and sub-districts, of which military officers were placed in command 
and held responsible for the peace and order of the territory. Soon 
after the surrender of Lee, the African portions of the population 
were placed under charge of an established gradation of officers 
comprising and specifically designated the Freedman's Bureau. 
The employment, management, conduct and interests of all those 
who had been slaves were turned over to that department; 
nevertheless, the military authorities seldom hesitated to arraign, 
try and punish the negroes. After the troops were withdrawn, the 
Bureau, exercising its proper functions, assumed a qualified control 
of the affairs of the Freedman. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



339 



About the time Lee left his intrenchments before Petersburg, 
Gen. M. R. Patrick, the provost marshal general of the Army of 
the Potomac, transferred his headquarters from City Point to Rich- 
mond, and established himself in the House of Delegates. Gen. 
Patrick had been provost marshal of the city of Mexico. He was 
a resident of Seneca county, New York, and was a candidate on the 
Democratic ticket for state treasurer in 1865. 

Consulting, instructing, harmonizing the assistant provost mar- 
shals, he organized and established the military government. 
Though a graduate of West Point Military Academy, and for some 
time a tutor in that institution, he was neither an able nor a very 
practical man. His age rendered him inactive, and his subordi- 
nates too often acted without consulting him. Soon after Patrick's 
advent, Gen. F. T. Dent, brother-in-law of Gen. Grant, was sent 
down as military governor of Richmond. They represented the 
extremes in party politics ; Patrick did not like Dent, and Dent 
heartily reciprocated the aged general's feelings. Patrick was un- 
ostentatious ; Dent and his family occupied the house of the 
governor of Virginia. He was affable, courteous and accessible. 
He paid but little attention to military rules and the gradations of 
rank, and seemed intent upon punishing the Confederate and ex- 
alting the negro, the Unionist and the National soldier. Patrick 
relieved Dent and sent him out of the city. 

The headquarters of the provost marshal of the first district were 
in Pizzini's store on Broad street. Headquarters of the second 
district, (those of the writer), were at first in the St. Charles hotel, 
on the corner of 16th and Main streets, and subsequently were 
removed to the corner of Main and 25th streets, near the centre 
of the district. Of the third district the office was at the corner 
of Cary and 2d streets, and that of the fourth district on Franklin 
street in the Exchange Hotel. 

During the military regency, 3,915 prisoners and citizens took 
the oath of allegiance at Patrick's office; at Pizzini's store, 2,768; 
at our headquarters 3,749; at the headquarters of the 3d district, 
2,144; at those of the 4th district, in the Exchange Hotel; 1,148 
soldiers and citizens, and 1,833 paroled soldiers took the oath at 
Libby Prison. 

April 2>th, we called on Gen. Weitzel in Jefferson Davis' man- 
sion. He said that he had sent for us to know how we were getting 



34° NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

along, what we were doing and what was the condition of the 
people in our district ; if the registry was complete, if the citizens 
were resuming business, and what buildings were occupied by our 
forces in the district. 

We replied that we allowed every one to sell the necessaries of 
life, as flour, meat, fish, milk, fruit ; that the citizens were receiv- 
ing permits from Gen. Patrick to resume business without restraint 
or formality ; that the farmers in the vicinity were plowing, sowing, 
planting and building fences; that a great deal of crime and suffer- 
ing still existed in the city, and that in our district alone, from 
one to five persons were murdered every night. 

Several of the editors have resumed publishing their papers; the 
Richmond Whig appears in twice its usual size. 

April 9th, Appomattox day. We kept open the register, and 
administered the oath until 1 1 a. m. — We were perplexed by the 
multitude of questions, and wearied by their endless repetition. A 
tall, well-dressed, gentlemanly-looking", red-faced person tried to 
push back the guard and get ahead of his turn to take the oath, 
when the guard placed his rifle before him and bade him halt. 
The red-faced gentleman said, "Mr. Marshal I would like to get 
up there now; I have some friends waiting outside." We replied, 
" We are sorry to deny you ; we have but one rule here." Said he, 
" You do not know who 1 am." " It can make no difference who 
you are. Wait a moment and your chance will come," was our 
reply. Lieutenant Sperry, with two clerks, was then making all 
possible haste, filling up the blank certificates, waiting upon those 
subscribing the oath, and we were administering it to four at a 
time. The red-faced man waited submissively for his opportunity, 
and, when it came, wrote his name and took the oath respect- 
fully. His name excited our curiosity, and we afterwards learned 
that he was the brother of the Mayor of the city, Joseph Mayo, 
the owner of several tobacco ware-houses and of Powhatan 
seat. 

In the afternoon we harnessed our horse to a buggy, which had 
been the property of Mallory, the Confederate Secretary of the 
Navy, and rode for a few hours through the upper part of the city. 
None of the churches were open, but our chaplain held service in 
the old market at 2 p. m. 

Later, while driving with Mr. Grainer, the owner of Castle Thun- 
der, we learned that Gen. Lee had surrendered his army to Gen. 



\ 

FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 341 

Grant in the morning. The Grainers were friendly, hospitable and 
patriotic, and received the news with gratification. 

April loth. — The routine of our duty is not yet habitual; work 
and business press upon us. Every hour we have an application 
for an officer to go and search for property stolen during the fire 
and concealed in houses, cellars and garrets. Now we send a detail 
to investigate the circumstances of a theft, a street fight, a tenan- 
try row or a murder : again, we send another to take an ambulance, 
obtain a coffin and bury a dead negro, pauper, citizen or soldier. 
We manage the two cemeteries of our district, and carry on an un- 
dertaker's business ; we send the surgeons to the sick, and have 
details making coffins and digging graves. 

One of the steamboats in the Baltimore and Richmond line 
lost the baggage of a passenger, and refused to make restitution. 
After timely notice we tied up the boat, though it carried the 
mail, until the article was found or its equivalent paid. 

An engine of the Virginia Central railroad ran over a man and 
cut off his leg. On information and complaint, we addressed 
a note to the superintendent and requested him " to call 
around." 

At the day appointed for hearing and determining, the parties 
appeared by counsel with witnesses. The case was heard, and the 
road directed to pay the injured man $3,000. The superintendent 
took a transcript of our notes and appealed to the department 
commander, and from him to the authorities at Washington. At 
each place the decision was sustained; but, at Washington he re- 
ceived the rather unsatisfactory assurance that if the finding of the 
provost marshal was changed it would be for the purpose of in- 
creasing the amount of the penalty. 

Secret information came to us that Dick Turner had escaped 
from Libby and was hiding somewhere, lurking in the city. We 
detailed Sergt. Allen and five of our sharpest men, and directed 
them to search him out, and bring him to us dead or alive. 

Dick Turner was a Confederate keeper of Libby Prison, who 
robbed the Union prisoners for years, under Gen. Winder, of their 
money, watches and clothes. 

While confined in Libby by the National authorities, Dick 
Turner occupied a little subterranean room under the side-walk by 
himself. Though his punishment was not precisely an exemplifica- 
tion of the Mosaical law, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, 



342 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



yet his condition reminded us forcibly of the manner in which 
Dante has meted out retribution : 

When living, full supply 

Ne'er lacked me of what most I coveted : 

One drop of water, now, alas ! I crave. 

After three days of the closest searching and diligence, Allen 
and his companions struck Turner's trail. They pursued him for 
several weeks, and finally arrested him at night in one of the upper 
rooms of his own house, and dragged him forth. Though armed 
with two revolvers, a large knife and a carbine, he made no 
resistance, but surrendered like a child. 

Major Richard Turner was Gen. Winder's lieutenant at Rich- 
mond, as Captain Henry Wirtz, who was hanged at Washington for 
his treatment of Union prisoners, was his lieutenant at Anderson- 
ville. We delivered Turner to the provost marshal general for 
trial by a military commission then organized and in session. He 
never was tried or punished. 

The large tobacco warehouse of Mr. Libby, on the corner of 
Cary and 19th street, was confiscated in 1861 for public pur- 
poses. It stood beside the James river canal below the bridges. 
Mr. Libby was a Unionist. The structure was three stories high, 
and built of brick, well lighted with numerous windows. Each 
floor was divided into two rooms, so that there were six rooms 
forty feet wide and one hundred in length. It had no ceilings, no 
plaster on the walls, and the floors were of rough planks. Libby 
was for officers only, and, at one time, contained twelve hundred 
in rank from a second lieutenant to a major-general. Only ten 
feet by two for each man. They had no other place in which to 
eat, wash, dry their clothes, sleep and live. Confederate guards 
were stationed around the building outside at close intervals. 
They were directed to shoot any of the prisoners who should ap- 
proach within three feet of the windows. The sentinels took 
delight in shooting at those of the "Yankees" who sought to air 
their dirty, vermin-infested blankets and clothing, or breathe the 
vital air. 

To-day, April 10th, nearly one thousand Confederate prisoners 
are confined in Libby, and, as we dismounted at the office-door 
we saw women and children outside talking to their friends and 
relatives within, throwing them apples, oranges, packages of 



I 

FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 343 

candy, food and clothing. The crowd outside is as large as 
that inside. The windows are full of Confederate soldiers talking, 
laughing, singing, eating. An indefinite number of prisoners 
under guard outside are mingling with the crowd. Reader, peruse 
the trial of Wirtz, or the Rebel War Clerk's Diary, and pause at 
the horrors of the "dead line." Do you believe in pains and 
penalties and retributive justice ? Do you believe in a future state 
of rewards and punishments? Have you any fixed convictions 
concerning Man, Duty, Right, God, Justice ? If so, what should 
be the punishment of the men represented by Commissary Gene- 
ral L. B. Northrup, Brigadier General John W. Winder, Major 
Richard Turner, and Captain Henry Wirtz ? Grecian history and 
mythology have transmitted to us in symbols and allegories the 
severest and most horrible penalties which fear could feign or ima- 
gination conceive. But to roll the stone of Sisyphus, to turn on 
Ixion's wheel, to thirst in Tantalus' flood, or to suffer the gnawings 
of Titius' vulture, is childish pastime to the punishment which 
those Confederate monsters deserve. The crime at Libby, Belle 
Isle and Andersonville shall stand on the calendar with burying 
alive, sawing asunder and burning at the stake ; and we fancy that 
nothing less than the eternal fires of the lake burning with brim- 
stone, the fires of hell, can burn their sins away. 

The Southern people are very glad at the prospect of peace ; 
every one is willing to take the oath. Nearly every man was in 
the Confederate service ; a few purchased at a large price exemp- 
tion from military duty. The people are submissive ; we have not 
heard a word to mar the good feeling between both parties. Gen. 
Lee will be here the 15th. 

Within a few days the port of Richmond has changed as by the 
wand of enchantment. The hum of trade is heard where recently 
nothing was audible but the rumble of army wagons and the slow 
clank of hammers on Confederate iron-clads. Steamers and 
schooners line the wharf, and wagons, drays and busy people fill 
the streets. The mud, filth and grass of four years are being 
cleared away, and the hotels, stores and shops are filled with goods 
and cheerful and happy crowds. 

April i$th. — The regiment moved out of the city and went into 
tents yesterday, a mile distant, at Camp Lee. 

This morning we received a note from Gen. Patrick, which 
directed us to report immediately to him in person. Under the 



344 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



strongest injunctions of secrecy he informed us that President Lin- 
coln was assassinated last night and that he died this morning at five 
o'clock. He cautioned us in regard to our district, and sent us a 
reserve of one hundred men. We stationed them at Libby, the 
old market, and over the captured arms and artillery. 

Gen. Lee and staff with Gen. Pickett arrived in town to-day. 
The city is full of paroled prisoners ; but we apprehend no danger, 
for they have had enough of the war. They come without parade 
or display and go quietly to their homes. We passed the day and 
the night in the saddle. 

April igth. — The day for Mr. Lincoln's funeral. The military 
offices are shut. The Army of the James, coming back from 
Appomattox court-house, is encamping around the city. The 
men come streaming into town. We arrest them and confine 
them, and still they come. We cause to be read our orders to the 
hotels and saloons, forbidding them to sell intoxicating drinks to 
soldiers, and yet every day we are annoyed with drunken and dis- 
orderly soldiers. In the city are still hundreds of unemployed 
white and colored people, and how to get rid of them or to find 
employment for them are questions serious and practical. 

We hear that Johnston has surrendered to Sherman. 

May ist. — After to-day no person can do business in the city 
who has not taken the oath of allegiance. From 8 a. m. until 4 
p. m. our office was crowded to overflowing. Yet we have acquired 
a wonderful self-possession. We work without strain and never 
worry. 

Every evening the reporters of The Times, The Whig, The Re- 
picblican and The Bulletin make a transcript from our record for 
publication the following day. Though our jurisdiction was wider 
and the discretion as to punishments greater, the reader will 
recognize a similarity between our decisions and those of the police- 
courts in the neighboring cities. We copy a few cases, as reported, 
from the files of these papers in our possession : — 

"The provost marshals have their judicial acumen taxed with all 
manner of queer cases. Rents, family jars, and numerous other matters, 
are daily brought before them. They are quicker in their decisions 
than the civil courts, but manage, nevertheless, to give satisfaction." 

" Cleaning out a Sutler.— A sutler of the 4th Mass. cavalry, 
named Nye, doing business in the eastern part of the city, was yesterday 
carried before the provost marshal of the 2d district upon the charge of 



FOUR YEARS OP SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 345 



refusing to settle with his landlord, a Mr. Owen, for rent and damages 
to the premises. The charge having been established to the satisfaction 
of the marshal, sutler Nye's establishment was by his order closed till 
such time as he might see fit to satisfy the just demands of his land- 
lord." 

''Philip Weber, charged with selling liquor to soldiers was found 
guilty and sent to Castle Thunder. Upon the announcement of the 
decision, Weber made a pathetic appeal to the provost marshal, stating 
that he had been confined in the Castle for six months during the 
Confederate reign because he had aided Union prisoners to escape. 
The marshal replied : ' You were no doubt a valuable friend to the Union 
cause, but in order to put money in your pocket you now, in direct 
violation of orders, sell intoxicating liquors and fill the city with persons 
rife for the commission of all manner of crime. I intend to put a stop 
to it." Weber was then marched to the Castle, looking crest-fallen and 
woe-begone. 

"William Timberlake, charged with hiring a horse and wagon from 
I. B. Kidd (no relation of Captain Kidd) two days and not paying for 
the same, was Kid-knapped and fined six dollars.'' 

"That Sentence. — We saw George Wright, the iron thief, whose 
sentence was so happily hit off by the provost marshal of the 2d district, 
enjoying his evening promenade on yesterday afternoon with a hun- 
dred pounds of iron on his back, a placard, 'The Iron Thief,' on top of 
thatt while a soldier escorted him, and two armed guards with fixed 
bayonets brought up the rear. He did not appear to enjoy his promi- 
nence, but moved slowly up the street, 'larding the lean earth as he 
walked along." 

"We have heard of the Iron Duke, an Iron General, an Iron Brigade, 
but the Iron Thief is creating more excitement just now than all the rest.'' 

May 3</. — The van of the Army of the Potomac reached Man- 
chester yesterday on its way to Washington. Its baggage will go 
by water. A large number of the officers are in the city; Gen. 
Meade is stopping on a boat in Rocketts. 

At her request, we called on Mrs. Van Lew, an aged, wealthy 
Union lady. She desired the possession of some real estate which 
she alleged had been taken from her during the war. Her daughter, 
Miss Van Lew, subsequently postmistress of Richmond, took great 
interest in the welfare of the Union prisoners during the war. She 
also entertained our scouts at her residence, and often furnished our 
authorities with valuable information. 

The maiden lady, Miss Van Lew, at that time was probably forty 
years of age, was a superior person of talent and information, was 



346 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



an enthusiast for liberty and equal rights, and talked of patriotism 
and a united country like Theodora in Lothair, or some of the. 
characters in Corinne speak of the unity and freedom of Italy. 
She was elegant and fascinating. 

The authorities have appointed a Provost Judge, to whom the 
more difficult cases relating to the rights of soldiers are sent. They 
have also established a military commission for the trial of the 
graver offences between citizens, and citizens and soldiers. A 
court of conciliation or arbitration formed of eminent lawyers of 
the city is also in contemplation. 

Richmond has, just now, as many military centers as Washington. 
Gen. Hallock, commanding the department of Virginia and North 
Carolina ; Gen. Ord, commanding the department of Virginia ; 
Gen. Ludlow, commanding the department of the Peninsula; Gen. 
Dent, military governor of the city of Richmond, and Gen. Patrick, 
provost marshal general, all have their headquarters here. 

Gen. N. M. Curtis, one of the heroes of Fort Fisher, commands 
the department of Danville, and the 98th is to be withdrawn and 
sent to Lynchburg. The arduous duty of patroling, guarding and 
watching has worn out our men ; they are tired and sick of the city. 

A few civilians will be employed as policemen, under charge of 
a chief of police, who will co-operate with the assistant provost 
marshals. 

On the 6th, the 2d and 5th corps passed through the city. The 
24th was drawn up to receive them. The 5th corps did not look 
so well as the 2d ; the men marched disorderly and were poorly 
dressed. Gens. Meade, Griffin, and Humphreys were present. 

May gth. — The city is full of men belonging to the 14th corps, 
which lies across the river, near Manchester. Their trains are 
crossing the pontoon to-day, on their way to Washington. The 
20th corps will be here to-morrow. They formed the left wing of 
Sherman's army. These are some of the men who left Tennessee 
last November, and, with short intervals of rest, have been march- 
ing ever since. Those whom we have seen are, generally, boys or 
middle-aged men. The corps are commanded by Gens. J. C. Davis 
and A. S. Williams. 

On the 20th they marched through the city, passing Libby Pri- 
son and Castle Thunder, our headquarters and the Capitol. In 
ease and agility of movement they surpass the Army of the Poto- 
mac. They appeared well, were well clothed, had few trains for 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



347 



baggage, but were supplied with pack mules. The regiments were 
larger than those of the 24th corps. A fine ambulance train ac- 
companied them ; the animals were in good condition and mostly 
of southern stock. 

Each brigade was followed by a number of negroes, leading cows 
and goats, horses, mules and colts. On the backs of the animals 
were tied every imaginable article of household and kitchen furni- 
ture, and various pets, such as opossums, coons, foxes, eagles and 
poultry. 

President Johnson has issued an executive order directing Gov. 
Pierpont to assume command of the state of Virginia. He also 
directs the district court to resume its business, and to libel per- 
sons not exempt by the Amnesty Proclamation. This is aimed at 
officers in the military service above the rank of colonel, and at 
those in civil life worth twenty thousand dollars. The order repu- 
diates all the acts of Govs. John Letcher and William Smith and 
President Davis, and causes a sensation in the higher walks of Con- 
federate society. 

Until that time, Francis H. Pierpont, provisional governor of 
Virginia, had kept his court at Alexandria. Now all expect him at 
Richmond, every day, with the officers necessary to work the ma- 
chinery of government. Gov. Pierpont was a man of no presence 
or ability, was of middle stature, rather stout, of dark com- 
plexion, with thick, curly, black hair, and looked like a bummer. 
He arrived on the 26th of May, and all the dignitaries went down 
to Rocketts to meet him. A battery fired a salute, and a regiment 
of infantry escorted him to the governor's mansion. 

A careless observer can mark plainly the contrast in spirits be- 
tween the Northern and Southern soldier. The former has been 
successful, well clothed and paid, and is soon to be mustered out. 
He has seen a great part of the Southern states, has fought in the 
battles of his country, and claims its benediction. He manifests 
agility, vivacity and inspiration in gesture, walk and speech. The 
latter, the Confederate, has lost all, is bankrupt, and without occu- 
pation or any means of support but his hands. His motions are 
slow and heavy, his countenance is dejected, his civility is sad. 
His home, in many instances, has been invaded, his dwelling 
burned, his family, relatives and friends broken and scattered, his 
fields and property devastated or plundered, and the blasting, 
burning fires of war are smouldering around his hearth-stone. 



348 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Sabbath 14. — Official routine is now so established "that we need 
do no business on Sunday. The guard arrests and confines the 
disorderly until Monday. So we attended services in the First 
Presbyterian church at it. a. m. This was Dr. Moore's. The con- 
gregation was small, unostentatious, and apparently devout. 

This is one of the three churches, standing on the highest ground 
in the city, the spires of which we have seen at different intervals 
for the last four years. We saw them from Fair Oaks in 1862, from 
the vicinity of Drury's Bluffs, May, 1864, and again from Fair Oaks 
October, 1864. 

Gen. Turner informed us that Jefferson Davis, with his family, 
were captured, the nth, in Irwin county, Ga., while trying to 
escape to the Gulf of Mexico. Of all his officials, Postmaster 
General, Judge John H. Reagan, of Texas, then acting as secretary 
of the Treasury, alone remained faithful to him, and was captured 
with him. That crowd of legislators and civil dignitaries that left 
Richmond with him, by rail and canal-boat, had, like the followers 
of Charles the Twelfth from Pultawa, scattered, fallen out, deserted, 
taken different routes. 

Gen. Wilson, commanding a body of cavalry at Macon, hearing 
that Davis was flying southward, and having his activity stimulated 
by the hope of a reward of one hundred thousand dollars pro- 
claimed by the President for the arrest of the arch-traitor, sent out 
two detachments to attempt his capture. The two parties soon 
struck Davis' trail, approached his camp, surrounded and captured 
his escort which had dwindled to a raiding party. 

Gen. Wilson thus tells the story of his apprehension: "Mrs. 
Davis and her sister, Miss Howell, after clothing him (Davis) in 
the dress of the former, and put on his head a woman's head-dress, 
started out, one holding each arm, and besought Col. Pritchard's 
men, in most piteous terms, to let them take their poor old mother 
out of the way of the firing. Mrs. Davis said : ' Oh ! do let us 
pass with our poor old mother, who is so frightened and fears to be 
killed.' One of Pritchard's men catching sight of the President's 
boots below the skirts of his dress, suspected at once who the poor 
old mother was, and replied; 'Oh, no, you don't play that game 
on us; those boots don't look much like they belong to a woman- 
Comedown, old fellow!'" 

The fugitives were taken to Savannah. Davis was soon after 
removed to Fortress Monroe, where he was confined in a casemate 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



349 



of the Fortress for a long time. He was subsequently released on 
bail, but was never tried. To-day (1878) he is living with his family 
unmolested in Memphis, Tenn., driving an insurance business. 

For a short time, the reconstruction of the rebellious states and 
the disbanding of the army 'will claim the attention of all those who 
have taken active part or who have felt any interest in national 
affairs for the past four years. The current of events has 
changed, the time for news has passed. People hear no more of 
battles, raids, or propositions for peace. The progress of a cam- 
paign is no longer to be watched, but the rise and fall of mer- 
chandise, the activity of industrial interests, the freaks of politi- 
cians and the development of political events. So the times 
change, and we change with them. 

June 4, Sunday. — Attending St. Paul's Episcopal church at 11 
a. m., we saw Gen. Lee and his daughter Agnes, was introduced to 
them by Dr. Mayo, and invited to call upon him at his residence. 

This, also, is one of those three conspicuous edifices defiantly 
visible to the Union troops at intervals for several years. Its spire 
is 208 feet high, and the model of the Corinthian order, much 
elaborated. 

General Lee was very pleasant, social and accessible. He 
remained after service a short time in the vestibule, conversed with 
his friends, and was introduced to all who sought his acquaintance. 
He wore a suit of light-colored French broad-cloth, a light gray, 
broad-rimmed, felt hat, and carried a gold-headed cane. Though 
over sixty, he talked with vivacity and moved with agility. In 
stature he was five feet ten or eleven, his head large, his features 
long, his shoulders broad, his person spare, his nose Grecian, his 
bluish gray eyes were large and full, his beard and hair thick, well 
trimmed and almost white. Agnes appeared more intellectual than 
beautiful. Her hair was dark, her complexion light, her figure slim, 
slender, lithe and tall. 

A number of ex-Confederate officers waited about the door of the 
church until he came out, to receive his greeting and to answer his 
inquiries concerning their health and welfare. 

Though respected, he was not a popular general with the officers 
of his army. He disliked work and the routine of business. When 
in the field, he was neither social nor accessible, and received 
advice and suggestions with fury, manifest disapprobation or 
anger. 



35° 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Like Grant, however, he never interfered with political affairs, 
and this secured his standing with the " Government." 

Visitors from the North are as numerous as ever. The hotels, 
boats and streets are full of strangers. They scatter over the roads 
and along the fortifications. They engage the vehicles of the city 
and of the government to visit the battle-fields. They return to 
their homes carrying canes, balls, fragments of shells and bones. 
Robbing a battle-field of its bones is a species of Vandalism not 
hitherto witnessed in this country. 

The battle grounds are being surveyed and mapped, and the 
direction, distance apart, and construction of the lines shown. 

June 9. — All quiet — warm and close. We called by invitation 
on Gen. Patrick. He and a number of other officers are soon to 
be mustered out. Patrick introduced us to his successor, our old 
friend, Gen. Turner, Gillmore's chief of staff in the department of 
the south. 

So long as we lived in Richmond our relations with Gen. Turner 
were friendly and confidential : he called at our office almost 
every day. 

The Mayor's court is in full blast and the city prisons have 
changed hands. 

As to the trade in the city, the times are dull. The people 
have no money. They can buy those things only which are neces- 
sary. Rents are high, and laborers are out of employment. The 
stores are full of goods ; the supply is greater than the demand. 
Soldiers and strangers alone have money. 

Several batteries and regiments are preparing to be mustered out. 

Nothing can exceed the complacency with which the negroes 
promenade the streets. They take their wives or female friends 
and put on all those airs which particularly struck them as attrac- 
tive in days of old. They go walking, stopping, staring along the 
street, some in rags, others in respectable clothing. A few , of 
them are staid, steady, and well-bred. 

The New York Tribune says that, " the condition of the negro 
in Richmond has not been improved by our occupation, that all 
that is necessary to bring him back to slavery is the auction block." 
That is false ; for if the laboring man's paradise is a place where 
he can obtain food and clothing without work or pay, then the 
negroes here are in bliss to-day. The authorities have furnished 
them food, shelter and clothing, protected them in the rights of 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 35 1 



American citizens and found them places to work as fast as possi- 
ble in order that they may become self-sustaining. 

June 15. — Every day the boats bring numbers of Confederate 
prisoners, discharged from Northern prisons. The order requiring 
our guards to arrest persons wearing insignia of rank in the Con- 
federate service or even the Confederate button went into force 
to-day. They had no occasion to arrest any one, but asked a few 
privates from the country and from the North to cut off the 
button. 

The troops have collected and sent to Fortress Monroe all the 
war material, as cannon, arms, and stores, found about the city. 

Governor Pierpont has a quorum in each house of the legislature 
together. In his message he requests the legislators to legalize the 
marriage of negroes, to impose a tax of 15 per cent., and to fix 
the rate of interest at 7 3-10. 

June 21. — General Terry has relieved both Gens. Ord and Hal- 
leck; the former goes to Oregon, the latter to California. All the 
surplus general and staff officers have been sent to their homes to report 
thence by letter to the Adjutant General. Several batteries and 
the three New Hampshire regiments of the 3d division were mus- 
tered out to-day. 

June 23. The 98th is at Manchester, with nothing to do but to 
hold inspections and keep its military status. 

The legislature adjourned to-day. It passed several local and 
private statutes, imposed taxes to support the government, ex- 
tended the stay-law, amended the code, provided for amending 
the constitution and made provisions for restoring disfranchised 
persons to citizenship. The speaker said, just before adjourning 
the House of delegates: " Virginia is now safe. Whatever they 
may do to other states, they cannot now force a provisional gov- 
ernment upon her. Whatever they may do to other states, they 
cannot now saddle negro suffrage upon us." 

June 24. We spent an hour, in the morning, in composing a series 
of general police and sanitary regulations for the district, and sent 
them to the Republic for publication. 

Then, going into the office, we attended to every person present, 
heard the reports from the officers, sergeants and posts of the dis- 
trict, repeated our orders, gave directions for the day, signed the 
reports, opened the mail, answered the inquiries of our superiors, 
received a few morning calls, and, at eleven, said to Lieut. 



352 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

Sperry, our assistant, that he must do the best that he could for 
the remainder of the day in the office ; that we did not feel in 
any mood for work ; that we were going to rest until 4 p. m. , when 
we would dine with Mr. Robert A. Mayo, at Powhatan seat, and 
that we should return before 9 in the evening. Said we: "Sperry, 
dispose and dispatch as well as you can. If any think you are the 
provost marshal, don't tell them different." Sperry was a clever 
boy, an excellent administrative officer but unaccustomed to ex- 
ecutive duty. 

Having our horse hitched to Secretary Mallory's buggy, we were 
soon on our way riding towards Powhatan on the river road. The 
river was beautiful and the opposite shores and hills. The naviga- 
tion to Rocketts is good for vessels drawing ten feet of water, and, 
at the wharf and along the river, eleven gun-boats and steamers 
were in sight. 

Powhatan Seat, the dwelling of Robert A. Mayo, is about a mile 
below the city and sixty rods from the river. It has been a family 
possession for more than one hundred years,and was the residence 
of Col. John Mayo, of Revolutionary memory, who built and 
owned Mayo's bridge. 

There, under the regal elms which stand in the door yard, 
Powhatan, the Indian town, was built, and there old Powhatan the 
king held his court. There they point out to the visitor the two 
stones upon which the body of John Smith was laid when about to 
be killed by order of the Indian emperor. They say to him that 
there lay Smith's head when the emperor's daughter Pocahontas 
stepped beside him and entreated with tears that his life might be 
spared, and there she seized Smith's head and placed it under her 
own to protect it from the clubs of his executioners. The historical 
fable says that the sight so moved Powhatan that he permitted Smith 
to live, sent him back to Jamestown and ceded him a large district 
of territory for two guns and a grindstone. 

Mrs. Gen. Winfield Scott was a Mayo, and this was her home. 
Here, while a major and a colonel, he twice offered her his heart 
and hand, and was as often refused ; but becoming a general, add- 
ing years, weight and experience to his argument, he was not de- 
nied. People said that it was a splendid marriage, that they were 
a splendid couple, above the average size, florid, dignified ; but 
she, her heart, it was incompatible, and they never could agree. For 
nearly fifty years General Scott was the greatest living military cele- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 353 

brity of the New World. He was admired, feted, honored, praised. 
Beauregard, McClellan and McDowell were his boys, his favorites, 
facile in his hands and to his touch. But his hauteur, his self-con- 
ceit and want of soul and sympathy and common sense, the Mayo 
never could admire or overlook or bear. Anybody but the stilted 
general. She was happiest when away. 

Mr. Mayo was familiar with the great men who have figured in 
the history of his state, and entertained us with recollections of 
Madison, Monroe, Marshall and others. He said that President 
Madison was a small, cross-eyed man, of wide forehead, and that 
he wore as long as he knew him the same faded brown overcoat ; 
that Monroe was wrinkled and weather-beaten, ungraceful in 
attitude and gesture, and that his speeches had no merit. Judge 
Marshall appeared revolutionary and patriarchal. Tall, with a 
face of genius and an eye of fire, he surpassed them all in the faculty 
of condensation ; he could distil an argument down to its essence. 
He spoke seldom, but his short speeches attracted great attention. 
Of all the great men of Virginia he thought Gov. Tazewell the 
most polished, brilliant and intellectual. 




23 



354 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



The Fourth of July— The 98th at Manchester— Political Matters— Capt. John Smith— Franklin 
Stearns gives a Party — The 98th goes to Danville and is scattered over four Counties — A Day 
among the Lawyers — Real Estate — An Interview with Gen. Lee — The 98th and the 20th N. 
Y., Militia— The Muster out and the Order to proceed to Albany — The Ride down the James 
and up the Chesapeake to Baltimore — Up the Hudson — Arrival at Albany — The Flag present- 
ed by the Ladies of Lyons returned to them — Interview with Governor Fenton=Promo- 
tions in Recognition of Service — The final Payment — The Address and Departure for Home. 



HEN Capt. John Smith, in 1609, first went up to the Great 



VV Falls of the James, where Richmond is now situated, he 
found an Indian village on the north bank, two miles below, called 
Powhatan. It consisted of a dozen wigwams, and stood in a cleared 
arable field of 200 acres. It had a palisade fort built of poles and 
bark. Smith called the place " Nonesuch," bought corn of the 
natives and tried to settle there. Dissensions in his party com- 
pelled him to return to Jamestown. Richmond took its chances 
as a frontier settlement and trading post until 1742, in the reign 
of George II., when by law it became a town. At the time of 
Arnold's invasion in 1781, it contained a population of 1,800, of 
whom the leading persons were Scotch and Scotch-Irish. The falls 
or rapids of the river are seven miles in length, and the James 
river canal passes around them. The city is connected with Man- 
chester by two bridges 350 yards long; it is built on Richmond 
and Shokoe hills ; rich plantations surround it ; the wide, winding 
river stretches below, and from every eminence the landscape pre- 
sents the great requisites of interest, grandeur, beauty and variety. 
For salubrity it is one of the first cities in the United States, the 
annual average of deaths being one in eighty-four. 

July 3. — During the evening we gave permission to shoot off a 
few rockets and fire-crackers to let the people know that the 
4th of July was at hand. A short time after and the whole district 




FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 355 



was in a blaze. For four years, the Confederates had not cele- 
brated the 4th, and the younger class of the community manifested 
much curiosity and interest. 

Several excursions are advertised for to-morrow; one to City 
Point, another to Dutch Gap. The daily papers and large posters 
announce a celebration in the Park ; the delivery of an oration, 
the reading of the Declaration of Independence and a poem. 

July 4. — The usual salute of one gun for each state was fired at 
sunrise. 

We had no business, no arrests, and the city was quiet. Not a 
breath stirred, and the day was fine and warm. The programmes 
were generally filled as announced, and many, not every one, ap- 
peared to observe the anniversary with delight. 

As for ourself, we heard the oration in Capitol square, attended 
to various miscellaneous matters about our office, and at 4 p. m., 
left the wharf at Rocketts on the old Confederate flag of truce 
boat ''John Allison" for a trip to Dutch Gap. As the route lay 
along a part of the river we had never seen, we were anxious to 
view the country and the fortifications. Some artillerymen with 
cranes and derricks were removing the heavy Brook's guns from the 
forts on Fox's island. With these guns the Confederates had fired 
at Dutch Gap and battery Brady. From the field along Dutch 
Gap Mr. Fox was cutting a large crop of clover. Two weeks be- 
fore our visit a small tug had passed through the Gap at high tide. 
In previous years several futile attempts were made in the legisla- 
ture of Virginia to obtain an appropriation for cutting across the 
narrow neck of land rendered famous by the operations of Butler. 
The parapet and embrasures of Fort Darling were broken down 
and destroyed, the guns removed, and nothing remained but its 
position, at a bend of the river on a bluff, which commands the 
channel from below. 

July 7. — Several organizations are preparing to be mustered out. 
The 98th is at Manchester in camp. A few of the men have been 
discharged, but, generally, no changes have occurred for a long 
time. The regiment will soon be ordered to Lynchburg, where it 
will be distributed by companies over four counties, which it will 
be required to govern, watch and guard. 

Political matters begin to ferment. Union men are finding 
fault with the Mayor, Joseph Mayo, the most popular man in 
Richmond, who has held office for many years. To prevent his 



356 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



being elected Gov. Pierpont refuses to order an election, and Gen. 
Turner declares that if elected he will not permit him to enter 
upon the duties of the office. Yesterday, by a card in the city 
papers, Mr. Mayo withdrew from the canvass. Messrs. Wm. Taylor 
and Smith are candidates ; the former is informally nominated by 
his friends, and the latter by himself. Mr. Sturdivant, an officer 
in the late Confederate army, is, informally, a candidate, sustained 
by the Secession influence. 

July ii. — In an interview yesterday with Gen. Curtis, who is to 
govern the department of Lynchburg, he said that he intended to 
take us with the 98th to his new command. He will give us a 
satrapy of four counties. 

July 18. — Three regiments, including the 98th, left by cars, the 
15th, for Lynchburg. Each regiment had six army wagons and 
two ambulances which followed under guard along the wagon 
road. 

We heard and decided twenty-three cases, and our office was 
crowded with business all day. The county election was held 
yesterday. By request of the Governor we placed a guard at the 
polls in the court-house. One arrest was made by order of the 
presiding officers for disorderly conduct. 

The Union ticket was defeated. The successful candidates were 
officers in the Confederate service. It is very difficult for a 
stranger to tell which is the Union party. Both parties make the 
same claims, and allege the same charges against each other. 

The city election will be held on Tuesday, the 25th. The peo- 
ple are becoming aroused, and many individuals apprehend 
difficulty. 

The health of the city is improving, and every one is able to 
talk of political matters, negro suffrage and reconstruction. 

On the 1 2th, General Terry suppressed the Richmond Whig on 
account of its secession proclivities. Even yesterday half a dozen 
fights occurred before the presence of our guard was required at 
the county polls. But few white troops now remain, and Terry has 
ordered two colored regiments to encamp in the vicinity. Their 
presence excites suspicion, and provokes guessing. Terry has scat, 
tered about in the department more than 20,000 men. 

July 24. — In the evening, we called on Mr. Taylor, the Union 
candidate for Mayor, and saw at his store several of his friends. 
So far Mr. Taylor has been before the people simply as an indi- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1 . 



357 



vidual standing on his own merits ; to morrow he will announce 
himself by a card a candidate for the mayoralty. Mr. Sturdivant, 
Confederate candidate, will also announce himself publicly. 

The 25th. — The day for city election. All quiet ; not an arrest 
in our district. 

The two candidates have published their manifestoes, two very 
similar papers. All the rabid Secessionists, soldiers and officers, 
supported Mr. Sturdivant, and said they could not vote for Mr. 
Taylor after reading his card. Mr. Sturdivant was elected by over 
500 majority. 

The Republic speaks plainly of the result, and says that those 
who have supported Mr. Sturdivant show but little desire to concili- 
ate the North, while they have constantly asked the North to con- 
ciliate the South ; that though the power of the rebellion is broken 
its spirit still remains, and that the ashes of the old Confederacy 
will retain heat enough to warm a Secession party for fifty 
years. 

The preparation of our notes and observations for publication 
after an interval of more than ten years from their composition 
has enabled us sometimes to observe the perspective and grouping 
of the historian. Imperfectly, of course, for we have not a com- 
petent history of the late war. Lossing and Greeley have written 
nothing better 'than annals, and the efforts of other writers are out 
of the question. True the army correspondents of the newspapers 
have photographed the passing events and battles, but for sensa- 
tional effect. So far the histories are but little better than a patch- 
work, made of the papers and army reports with scissors and pen. 
If any one better than another, John W. Draper has discovered 
and represented the importance of leading ideas, facts and events, 
the reason of military movements and the meaning of political 
acts. He has often helped us trim our little bark. 

Aug. 1st. — Gen. Turner will not allow the recently elected mu- 
nicipal officers to discharge the functions of their offices. Among 
other reasons for this step, he alleges that they were officers in the 
Confederate service, that, at their election, ex-Confederate soldiers 
were permitted to vote, while Union men by their absence during 
the war lost their residence. 

The war among the papers of the city is fairly inaugurated. The 
Republic is in sentiment strongly for the Union. It speaks plainly 
and boldly. On the contrary, the Bulletin expatiates on the 



358 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



beauty of supporting soldiers for office, and calls the Republic a 
radical, fault-finding, peace-disturbing, lying sheet. 

A few days ago, Franklin Stearns gave a dinner to Gov. Pier- 
pont and his friends. There were present Frank Smith, the trea- 
surer of the state, Mr. Chandler, the marshal of the district of 
Norfolk, Col. Brown, chief of the Freedmen's Bureau for the state, 
Gen. Turner, Cols. Ordway and Smith, and a large number of ex- 
officers and civilians. The preparations were ample and the en- 
tertainment sumptuous. Two bands rendered the choicest pieces 
of music, toasts were read, speeches made, and a few danced in the 
evening on the green. When they read from the head of the 
table, " The future of the state of Virginia," they called on us to 
speak. — Among other things we said, ''Virginia, the mother of 
presidents, was for a long time the first state in the Union. By 
an intelligent, enlightened and liberal policy she can regain her 
former place. Her geographical position is central and advanta- 
geous ; her long and numerous rivers, her wealth of soil, of forests, 
of mines invite the artizan, the farmer, the laborer, the capitalist. 
Let your legislature give more attention to internal improvements. 
Tap the Western trade and travel : run a railroad to Fortress Mon- 
roe and another to the Ohio. 

Break up your large estates, resurvey your lands and bring them 
conveniently into market. Seek to turn the current of western 
emigration this way, cease to proscribe and repel, begin to in- 
duce and invite. Every industrious and thrifty settler with his 
family will add ten thousand dollars to your valuation. Revise 
your common school laws and give your state a modern common 
school system. Out and down with your foolish aristocratic ideas 
of cast and family. Open your eyes to what is going on around 
you and try to understand the enterprise, the industry, the econo- 
my of the day. Learn of your enemies ; and remember that in the 
contest just ended, free labor and modern civilization prevailed." 
A few tried to cheer once or twice, but it was no go. After dinner 
Stearns and Frank Smith said privately to us that they were glad to 
hear us talk so ; that it was just the thing ; that we hit the nail on 
the head, but that it would not do for them to say so. 

The 98th is scattered over the counties of Henry, Patrick, 
Franklin and Pittsylvania, with headquarters at Danville. It is to 
be ordered here at once and mustered out. We are to be relieved. 
Our sands are nearly out. In the afternoon we rode down through 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF l86l. 



359 



Rocket ts and home through Oak Wood cemetery. On its farther 
edge is the Union burial ground. Since our occupation of the 
city that part has been fenced. The graves were marked by a little 
piece of pine board three inches wide. A few bodies have been re- 
moved. Many people were slowly walking among the thousands 
of graves, looking for certain numbers. No order or method had 
been observed in burying, and there appeared no other way than to 
seek and find the little board bearing the number obtained from 
the registry. 

Aug. 1 6th. In the morning, we called by request on Gen. Tur- 
ner, the provost marshal of the city, for the purpose of deciding 
upon the manner of our taking off, of our being relieved. We had 
a long interview in relation to our official duty, the disposition of 
the guards, patrols, posts, and the general conduct of the district. 

Aug. 1 8th. The weather is cool, and stirring about is not so 
unpleasant. Yesterday we turned over the district and the books 
and papers of the office to our successor. W T e are to remain in 
the city until the 98th arrives to be mustered out. 

We like to rest ; the remark of Scipio that he never was so busy 
as when he had nothing to do, applies to us. To day we have 
knit the loose ends of various matters together, arranged, en- 
dorsed, packed up our orders, papers, letters, written our memo- 
randum and set our house in order. 

We have leisure now to be friendly and social. We have time 
to interview our friends. One day we spent the afternoon with 
the lawyers on Franklin street, near the Exchange Hotel and the 
office of the Richmond Whig. During our rule in the city they 
were uniformly kind and obliging to us. They opened their offices 
and libraries to us and proffered every assistance. Many of them 
had repeatedly called on us and had cases and business before us. 
A majority of them have offices in the city and manage small farms 
in the vicinity. 

The evening of the 21st we received at our rooms the local re- 
porters of the Richmond papers. They came, as they said, " to 
bid us farewell and thank us for the courtesy of our office." They 
were Walker of the Republic, Witter of the Bulletin, Goddin of the 
Times, and Lewis, marine reporter for all the city papers, or, as he 
styled himself, general correspondent for the Richmond press. 

The next day the agents of real estate in the city held a confer- 
ence at the office of Messrs. Grubb & Williams. They sought ways 



360 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 

and means for inducing discharged soldiers and northern people 
to settle in Virginia. Nearly every acre of farm land in the state 
was for sale, and the price varied from three to forty dollars per 
acre. We were present by invitation, and in a few words developed 
our plan, which looked to a breaking up of the large parcels or 
estates, reorganization of society and an increasing of the number 
of industrial interests or pursuits. The job we proposed was too 
big for the agents ; it was not taken, and the northern laborers 
stayed away. The land about Dutch Gap, Aikin's landing, Deep 
Bottom, Spring Hill, the New Market, the Darby-town road, Fair 
Oaks and Seven Pines, can be bought from eight to ten dollars an 
acre, in parcels of from three to eight hundred acres. 

One day, accompanied by Dr. Mayo, we called on General Lee 
at his residence, a three story brick building on Franklin street. 
We found several civilians and Union officers in his front parlor, 
who, like ourselves, had come to see the Southern chieftain. After 
waiting a short time, he entered the room, and we were introduced 
one after another. He appeared very agreeable, pleased to see us, 
and accosted us with the easy grace and affability of a man well- 
bred and long accustomed to good society. He asked each of the 
officers from what part of the North he came and what service he 
had seen. He remarked that he regretted the war more than any 
one, that he was glad it was ended, that he felt that the North and 
South would quietly settle down, heal the wounds, repair the loss, 
and soon be one nation again. An officer replied: "General, I 
have often heard it said that if the Army of Northern Virginia had 
been commanded by any other person than yourself the war would 
have ended long before it did." Lee bowed to him and replied 
pleasantly : " On the contrary, it was said in the congress at Rich- 
mond, that had that Army been commanded by another, it would 
have captured Washington and Philadelphia and thus prolonged 
the war or obtained the independence of the Southern states. We 
cannot tell ; the South has tried hard enough to be free. It seems 
that she has deserved her independence, but an overruling Provi- 
dence disposes these things. Though deploring the war and most 
ardently wishing for peace, I have been forced by an inexorable 
duty to take the sword against my country, my convictions, and 
hope. We submit and are glad that we belong again to so great 
and good a government. " 

While speaking to us Dr. Mayo said, "You remember, General, 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 36 1 



that the Colonel lent Agnes and me his buggy to go to White 
House." "Ah, indeed," said he, " you place the whole city 
under obligation for what you and your regiment have done, and 
then you oblige us personally besides. I am very thankful. I shall 
never forget it. We wished to send a few things to my sons who are 
trying to manage the plantation there. W T e had no conveyance. 
You were very kind to lend us yours. Thank you, Colonel, thank 
you." 

Several companies of the regiment arrived in Manchester on the 
23d. Their camp is along the bank of the James, near the Dan- 
ville depot. The officers are engaged at the muster-out rolls. 
Though the ranks have been thinned by discharges for expiration 
of term of service, the books show an aggregate of nearly 550 men, 
of whom between three and four hundred are present. 

On the 26th, we left our quarters in Richmond and occupied a 
tent in the camp. At this time of the year, it is very pleasant 
living in tents. Sunday the 27th, we inspected the regiment for 
the last time, and on the 30th, at 2 p. m., held our last dress parade. 

The men were in excellent spirits, not a person reported sick ; 
their clothing, arms, and accoutrement were complete, according to 
regulations, and in good order. 

During the afternoon of the 31st of Aug., the regiment was mus- 
tered out in camp by Major Fred. Martin, chief commissary of 
musters for the department of Virginia. This was the first regi- 
ment he had mustered out himself, and he spoke in complimentary 
terms of the books, rolls and appearance of the men. 

At 8 p. M. 3 the officers of the 98th met those of the 20th N. Y. 
militia in the office of The Republic by invitation from the proprie- 
tors of that paper. 

From our occupation of Richmond the two regiments were in- 
timately associated together. The 20th was Gen. Patrick's favorite 
regiment. Its camp was on the edge of the city, near Union Hill, 
and it furnished details, officers and men, for the districts. 

The band of the 20th was present, refreshments were served and 
every one enjoyed the entertainment. 

The officers arranged that the 20th should meet the 98th at 8 on 
the morning of Sept. 1, at the corner of Main and 14th streets, and 
escort it to the wharf. 

Accordingly, on the morning of the 1st of Sept., we started for 
home and found the 20th at the appointed place. 



362 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



Besides the escort of the 20th regiment, the 98th was accompa- 
nied to the boat by nearly a thousand people, male and female, 
white and black, acquaintances, friends and citizens, attracted by 
the martial display, the music, and the crowd. They covered the 
wharf, the street, the sheds and smaller houses, and at eleven, when 
our transport moved away, they shouted, yelled, and waved their 
handkerchiefs, hats and bonnets. The regiment had been long in 
the city, many of the men had formed strong and earnest attach- 
ments, and although the band played " Home, Sweet Home," we 
observed, that morning, as they shook hands, and said farewell, 
among the crowd, many sad faces and weeping eyes. 

Before leaving camp, we received the following order : 

" Office of the Chief Commissary of Musters, j 
Department of Virginia. j 

" To the Commanding Officer 98th New York Volunteers. 

" Sir : Immediately after the muster-out of your command, you will 
proceed in charge of the same to Albany, New York, and there report to 
the chief mustering officer of the state for payment and final dis- 
charge. 

" The quartermaster's department will furnish transportation for 
twenty-one officers and three hundred and fifty -one men. 
" By command of Maj. Gen. Terry. 

" Fred. Martin, 

" Brevet Major U. S. Vols., 

" Chief Commissary of Muster." 

Sept. 1, 1865, was a beautiful day, bright, warm. A light, thin 
haze obliterated the definition of distant objects, and hung, like a 
veil of gauze, between us and the remoter hills and sloping forests. 
The men stood constantly on deck, and recognized and greeted, 
with a shout, in succession, as they passed down the James, Fort 
Harrison, Dutch Gap, Deep Bottom, Bermuda Hundred, City 
Point, Haxalls, Harrison's landing, Old Jamestown and Newport 
News. They often said to each other, "Look, look your last." 
They told all the stories of the Peninsular Campaign, they sang all 
the songs of the war, they recounted all the incidents of their ser- 
vice, they talked the battles over, and showed how fields were won. 

The James is a lordly river, and moves in majesty between its 
level banks. The world is full of unwritten music, and the voices 
of nature blended harmoniously that day. 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



3 6 3 



At nine in the evening, we stopped to put some dispatches on 
shore at Fortress Monroe, and then steamed up the Chesapeake. 

The 47th and 8ist N. Y. were embarking at the fortress ; hav- 
ing been mustered out, they too were going to Albany. The bay 
was serene and beautiful. We had a fine moonlight ride. The 
stars they shot along the sky. 

We sat on deck, until late in the night, listening to music, sing- 
ing, and conversation, and observing the shores, the passing vessels, 
and the sky, 

"Planets, suns and adamantine spheres, 
Wheeling unshaken through the void immense." 

After eleven on the morning of Saturday, the 2d, we arrived in 
Baltimore The Monumental city was quiet as Sunday. The men 
ate at the restaurants, and the officers at the Eutaw House. The 
war had added largely to its business, then schooners, transports, 
lined its docks, and filled its harbor ; merchants, sutlers, manufac- 
turers, soldiers, crowded in its warehouses, shops, hotels and streets. 
Now, the war over, all is changed ; its harbor and streets are 
empty, business dull, and speculation dead. 

We called at once on the quartermaster, and received transporta- 
tion to New York, by way of Philadelphia, Camden and Amboy. 
The 47th arrived while we were disembarking, and, an hour later, 
the 81st. 

Two trains of cars were made up to carry the three regiments to 
Philadelphia. After many delays, we left the depot near sunset, 
and arrived in Philadelphia, at sunrise, on the following morning. 
So far no accident has occurred, and none are left behind. 

An individual, representing the Cooper Shop Association, met us 
at the depot, and invited the three regiments to breakfast. The 
invitation, after the long ride, was cordially and cheerfully 
accepted. The food was in abundance, clean, Well cooked and 
served. The men sat on chairs and benches beside short tables 
covered with cotton or linen cloths, and well supplied with cups 
and saucers, knives and forks, spoons and plates. Fresh bread, 
boiled potatoes, boiled fresh beef, tea and coffee, composed the bill 
of fare. Within two hours, the three regiments, numbering fifteen 
hundred men, were served and done. 

The Cooper Shop Association was one of the two free refreshment 



3 6 4 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



saloons for volunteer soldiers in Philadelphia, which were organ- 
ized in the early part of the war to give food to passing soldiers, 
and which expended, in money and supplies for that purpose, over 
$200,000. 

Telegrams were sent before us, informing the people, at the differ- 
ent towns and stations, that three old regiments, returning home 
from the war, would pass, during the day, from Camden to New 
York. 

Soon after 9 a. m., Sunday, September 3d, we drew out of the 
depot, and started on our safe and pleasant ride through New 
Jersey. The day was still, bright and warm. The two trains were 
generally in sight, and along the route the people collected in the 
fields, at the crossings of the roads, at the stations, in the towns and 
cities, waved their handkerchiefs and flags, and cheered and 
shouted. We had never seen such an ovation. New Jersey was a 
continued demonstration. 

Near 5 p. m., we arrived in New York, and took the regiment 
to the barracks near Castle Garden. There the men received a 
supper of the plain army food. The tables were of pine boards, 
and poorly supplied with dishes. The victuals were indifferently 
prepared and served. Everything looked dirty, filthy and 
neglected. The officers did not eat at the barracks. When the 
baggage arrived, we loaded it on the river-boat, tl Thomas P. Way," 
and near 8 p. m., the 98th, men and baggage, were on the home- 
ward route again, steaming up the Hudson. 

It was autumn, and moonlight arose on our way. The river, 
its bold, rocky banks on the one side, its green fields and towns on 
the other, graceful with hills and dales and leafy woods ; the large 
full moon, the stars, the hundred little boats constantly in sight, 
unitedly made the way interesting and pleasant. The sky was 
of a tender blue, serene, unflecked by a single cloud, the evening 
hours of a Sabbath day, and the earth everywhere in her green 
robes of summer. 

" Heavens ! What a goodly prospect spreads around, 
Of hills, and dales, and woods, and lawns, and spires, 
And glittering towns, and gilded streams, till all 
The stretching landscape into smoke decays !" 

The tourist will look in vain the world over for more beautiful 
and interesting scenery than he may observe along the Hudson 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



365 



from New York to Albany, in Autumn, when the moon is riding 
at her full. 

The soldiers enjoyed the whole journey intensely ; careless and 
happy, pleased they knew not why, silent and attentive, they sur- 
rendered themselves to the pleasures of taste and imagination. 
Accustomed to live out doors and observe closely every object, the 
river with its sublime and beautiful scenery passed in moving pro- 
cession by them, less actual than by daylight, more real than a 
panorama. 

Near six o'clock on the morning of the 4th, the 98th arrived in 
Albany. The hour was too early for Capt. Muhlenberg, chief 
mustering officer of the state; so we took the regiment at once to 
the Veteran Reserve Corps barracks, two miles out on the road to 
Troy. We found already there waiting the completion of their 
rolls, in the hands of the paymasters, the 3d, the 100th, the i92d 
N. Y. vols. 

About 9 a. m., after being well established in the new camp, we 
reported to Capt. Muhlenberg at his office and received the follow- 
ing order: 

State of New York, Northern Division, Headquarters of the Acting Assistant Provost Mar- 
shal General, and Superintendent of Volunteer Recruiting. 

Special Orders, \ 
No. 444. J 

Albany, Sept. 4th, 1865. 

Colonel — Commanding the 98th N. Y. Infantry, having reported to 
these headquarters pursuant to instructions from the chief commissary 
of muster, department of Virginia, Aug. 31st, 1865, will proceed with 
his command to the Veteran Reserve Corps barracks and report on ar- 
rival to Col. J. E. Farnam, commanding post, for the purpose of pro- 
curing camping ground and subsistence while awaiting payment and 
final discharge. Frank P. Muhlenberg, 

Brevet Major, U. S. A., Acting Chief Mustering Officer. 

During the afternoon, we procured teams, drew up our baggage 
and pitched our tents, the men only occupying the barracks. To. 
wards evening, the 81st arrived, making five regiments in the 
camp. The 47th remained in the city of New York. 

We called upon Gov. Fenton, Adjutant General, Wm. Irvine 
and Colonel B. C. Gilbert, the appointing clerk. They spoke in 
complimentary terms of the regiment, seemed to know as much of 
it as we did, and said they would do anything in their power to 
acknowledge its services. We replied that there were a number of 



3 66 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING 



vacancies in the field and line, and that in our opinion the Gover. 
nor could confer no greater favor upon the regiment and its friends 
than to fill them from its ranks. They approved the suggestion, 
and requested us to make the application. 

We have orders to turn in the regimental property. The ord- 
nance and quartermaster's stores we took to Albany ; the regimental 
and company books we boxed carefully and sent to Washington. 

On the 12th, the Governor signed commissions for the following 
persons with date of rank from April 3d, 1863, the day of our en- 
trance into Richmond : Major Wm. H. Rogers to be Lt. colonel; 
Capt Alfred C. Wells to be major; Lieuts. L. B. Sperry, S. B. 
Powell, S. S. Short, to be captains; first Sergeants, John McCul- 
lough, Samuel Howes, G. W. Adams, William Johnson, Alonzo A. 
Rhodes and Peter Baer, to be first lieutenants ; and Sergeants, 
Frank Myers, Samuel C. Hardy, J M. H. Davis, A. D. Williams, 
George Milam, William Bowles, Eusebe Lalime, Henry Holbrook 
and Thurston G. Foster to be 2d lieutenants. 

Knowing that certain ladies of Lyons had presented, in 1862, a 
silken banner to the regiment, we directed the adjutant to deliver 
the flag to Col. Rogers, andrequest him to return it to them, and at 
the same time to hand the colonel a copy of the following letter of 
acknowledgment and transmission for the regiment : 

Albany, New York, } 
Sept. 13th, 1865. J 

To Misses Fanny Cramer, Julia Holley and others, Ladies of Lyons, 
N.Y.: 

I have the honor to return to you by the hands of Col. Wm. H. 
Rogers, on behalf of the 98th N. Y. vols., the banner which you gave 
us in 1862, when at the call of the President, we set out to fight for the 
integrity of our country. We have unfurled it boldly before the ene- 
my's lines and never suffered it to be disgraced or dishonored. 

We were happy to receive it and bear it, a pledge of your encourage- 
ment and support, the sign of hope and triumph; and, now, by the 
blessing of God, the enemies of our country having been vanquished, 
the Constitution and the laws re-established and we, coming home from 
the war, desire to return the beautiful emblem to those who gave it 

As in the tented field this banner of our native state often reminded 
us of our distant homes, our former free and happy country, and the 
noble women wh#gave it us ; so, hereafter, may it recall to the mind of 
those who shall gaze upon it, the scenes though which it has passed, the 
occasion upon which it was presented and the fidelity, courage and pa- 



FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE WAR OF 1 86 1. 



367 



triotism of those who bore it in the battles around Petersburg and 
Richmond. 

During the 16th, the enlisted men were paid. In addition to 
pay, arrears of bounty and allowance for clothes, each man re- 
ceived transportation to the place of his enlistment. The rolls having 
been signed the night before, the men were marched to the pay- 
master's tent by companies and paid alphabetically. All were 
ready to go, and as soon as paid they turned away and took the 
cars for home. 

As the last soldier received his stipend we noted the hour, Sept. 
16th, 1865, three o'clock and twenty minutes. Oct. ioth 1861, 
we enlisted, our term of service then not wanting of four years 
thirty days. 

We thought it suitable and proper that on disbanding the 98th 
we should make a speech. One evening we called the men toge- 
ther and spoke to them our farewell address substantially as fol- 
lows : 

Fellow Soldiers :— You are returning from a war which has shaken 
the industrial interests of the world. Your marches, toils and battles 
have been crowned with success. In all the rebellious states the Con- 
stitution and laws are supreme. Henceforth our country shall be one 
and undivided forever. You are about to sever those ties which have 
united you in the nation's darkest hours and which have been ce- 
mented and grown stronger in contest and victory ; but your friends 
and relatives will rejoice to receive you, glorious survivors, returning 
from the overthrow and dispersion of their enemies and the final tri- 
umph of their cause. 

The battles in which you have been engaged shall live forever in 
your country's annals. On the mountains, in the valleys, on the rivers, 
the plains, the lakes, and in the towns and cities, the narrative of your 
sufferings, toils and victories shall elicit in all time the warmest com- 
mendation. 

The issues of the contest were the struggles of progress and modern 
ideas against ancient opinions and prejudice ; posterity will therefore 
regard the achievement of emancipation and the establishment of na- 
tionality as victories won for modern civilization, right and justice. 

To those of your comrades who have died in the line of duty, no tribute 
can be too great, no honors too flattering. Though left unburied on the 
battle-field, though their bones are blanched by the rains and winds of 
heaven, though they lie in unknown and unmarked graves, though 
they'smoulder in the trenches^ around Petersburg and Richmond, yet 



363 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



our free and united country is their monument, and its history shall 
wreath their names and graves with everlasting greenness. 

You who have periled your lives for the integrity of the nation, are 
now citizens again. Your duties are still great and your responsibilities 
tremendous. The voices of your comrades living and dead call upon 
you to be socially and politically true in heart and head. Society needs 
everywhere, brave, earnest and truthful men, and such men everywhere 
succeed. 

The possibilities .-of your country are infinite. Its constitution and 
laws contain elements which shall regenerate the political world. The 
people advocating universal education, an unfettered career is open to 
talent, the intelligence of the nation is being organized ; in making and 
dispensing law and holding the places of honor and profit, audacious 
ignorance is yielding to the intellect of the country. Soon the Stars and 
Stripes will indicate the land of stability and progress, liberty and laws, 
opportunity for talent, justice to all. 

Look around. All is peace. And God has granted you this sight of 
your country's happiness and prosperity. He has allowed you to par- 
take the reward of your patriotic toils, You who for four years have 
put everything at hazard in your country's cause on picket, in the as- 
sault, and charge, on the field strewed with the dead and the dying, 
shall henceforth be blessed and consecrated by future generations with 
those who fought at Yorktown, Bennington and Saratoga. Niches are 
prepared for you beside Revolutionary heroes. All is peace. Look 
abroad into this lovely land which your valor has contributed to unite, 
defend and fill with happiness and prosperity. Look abroad into the 
whole earth and see what a name you have given to your country, what 
a praise you have given to freedom, and then rejoice in the sympathy 
and gratitude due you for the improved condition of mankind and the 
emancipation of four millions of the human race. 

Return to your homes, endeavor to be good citizens, and the patriotic 
and just will everywhere honor, respect and help you. This is an age 
of reforms and advancement, combat the evil, labor for the good. 

The work which we proposed is finished. The service of the 98th 
is associated with the Nation's History and our Notes and Obser- 
vations relate to some of the more important events which trans- 
pired in the struggle of the Republic for existence. The story of 
the soldier is the history of the war. 



